Toccatas and Arias for Harpischord

1986

10 ½ minutes

Barbara Harbach

February 9, 1987, State University of New York at Buffalo, Barbara Harbach, harpsichord

20th Century Harpsichord Music, Vol II,” Barbara Harbach, harpsichord, Gasparo GSCD-266.  Also available on demo CD

Toccata I
Aria I
Toccata II
Aria I
Toccata III

Toccatas and Arias for Harpsichord was composed in July, 1986 for Barbara Harbach as a meditiation on Baroque forms, in which the mingling of linear elements produces the harmonic relationships. The first Toccata is based on baroque style toccatas. Both Arias are in song form and feature inverted counterpoint. The short second Toccata is the only one which has a chordal pivotal point. It features such varying meters as 13/16, 5/8, 5/16 and9/8. The last movement uses a fascinating techinque of instant replay, with each repetition a half step apart and interspersed with arpeggiated triadic chords.

–liner notes to Gasparo CD

“The work…is bracing and brisk, playful and clear….Ms. Fine’s music emphasizes the play of the mind; not to discount the fresh harmonic relationships she gets from lines mingling…..There is no built-in response to her music; it is not trading on some well-used emotion…I think Ms. Fine’s music really belongs on the harpsichord; it suits her clear and lively pieces.”

–Thomas Putnam, The Buffalo News, August 10, 1987

Toccata I