The difference between harpsichord and piano

How should you play old music on modern instruments? In this short clip taken from his inaugural lecture, David Rowland, Professor of Music at The Open University, demonstrates how a composer makes music written for the harpsichord sound better on the piano.

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Education

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• music
• David
• Rowland
• professor
• harpsichord
• piano
• notes
• composer
• inugural
• lecture
• open
• university

[jessica131100]

In my opinion the harpsichord makes the notes sound kind of sharp. it gives a strage tone to it that i do not like.

[JayKeaton]

Cool video. Should have got a musician to do the demonstration though, the guy in the video is terrible.

[adamworth1979]

I do have to add that most people cannot afford a harpsichord so in that case playing harpsichord music on the piano is quite acceptable. Many people play harpsichord music on the piano out of necessity not choice. Harpsichords tend to be a bit more expensive than a piano (though you can find good deals) so most people don't have a choice but to play harpsichord music on the piano.

[adamworth1979]

I agree with these comments.  I don't like harpsichord music when it is played on the piano. Take Glenn Gould for example, great pianists, performed lots of works by Bach, but all on the piano. Now listen to someone like Scott Ross, or Igor Kipnis (both RIP) they sound quite different. I love the harpsichord and the piano as well. They are from different time periods and if you play harpsichord music on the piano or vise-versa, you're not doing the composer's intentions justice.

[TheMunich123]

why is he sitting on 2 chairs? cool piano



[TheMunich123]

why is he sitting on 2 chairs?

[Tenifus]

Harpsichord compositions should be played on harpsichord, In my opinion, and piano compositions should definitely stay on the piano (duh)

[Polluxgeminae]

The harpsichord is much more beautiful than the noisy piano.

[amysteriousgal]

'Cuz harpsichord pieces sound pathetic on a piano.