Search - Barbara Harbach (harpsichord) :: Thomas Haigh: 6 Concertos for Harpsichord (1783) [World Premiere Recordings]

Thomas Haigh (1769-c.1808) was a pianist, violinist and composer. He studied with Franz Joseph Haydn in London during Haydn's first visit to London in 1791-1792 and dedicated his Violin Sonatas Op.8 and Op.10 to Haydn. Haigh arranged many of Haydn's works for piano such as Symphonies No.70 and No.81 as well as the Armida Overture. Several of Haigh's publications appear to date from 1815-1819, and it may be that Haigh died later than 1808, since posthumous publication of new works rarely occurred. Six Concertos for the Harpsichord or Pianoforte with accompaniments for two Violins and Cello was published in London for the author in 1783. Harbach has chosen to record the Six Concertos as solo harpsichord concertos without the accompanying violins and cello. In the time of Haigh, it was fashionable and accepted to write accompanied and unaccompanied concertos. Thomas Arne (1710-1778) wrote six keyboard concertos that may be played with or without the two oboes and strings. The Six Concertos are inventive, and each is different in style and melodic construction. Some general characteristics include brilliant, virtuosic and idiomatic keyboard figurations (cross hands, cross rhythms of three against two, chromatic scales, parallel thirds in both slow and fast movements); numerous embellishments, such as trills and figurations typical of the times and reflecting Haigh's study with Haydn; and a variety of rhythmic figurations that go from throbbing eighth-notes to triplets, to sixteenth-notes with fast scalar runs; ascending and descending octaves; arpeggios and tremolos. The melodies are charming and appealing, often with folk-like, triadic melodic construction and Alberti bass accompaniments abound, producing driving energy and rhythms. While the concertos have limited repetition or development of ideas, most movements provide cadenza opportunities. Barbara Harbach has toured extensively as both concert organist and harpsichordist throughout the United States and Canada, and internationally in Bosnia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Japan, Korea, Romania, Serbia and Siberia. Harbach's lively performances and recordings have captured the imagination of many American composers, and the body of work written for and dedicated to her is substantial. She is involved in the research, editing, publication and recording of manuscripts of 18th century keyboard composers, as well as of historical and contemporary women composers. As an accomplished and prolific composer herself, Harbach has a large catalog of works, including symphonies, operas and ballets; works for chamber and string ensemble; musicals and film scores; works for organ, harpsichord and piano; choral anthems; and arrangements for brass and organ of Baroque music.