E. Power Biggs on Pedal Harpsichord

[murathan]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Power_Biggs

E. Power Biggs on Pedal Harpsichord. He was an organist actually but made some recordings on Pedal Harpsichord instead of organ. My favorite listening in these days:



He also played the famous double violin concerto (organ concerto) of Vivaldi.


Scott Joplin on Pedal Harpsichord in 2 volumes:

 

[Siegmund]

I heard several of these pieces for the first time via E. Power Biggs arrangements (on a reel-to-reel tape deck as a boy), before I knew them as piano or organ works. I was quite disappointed to find that pedal harpsichords are so rare in the real world.

 

[Big Squeezy Accordions]

I have volumes 1 and 2 of his Joplin records on vinyl. Ragtime works on pedal harpsichord because playing the bass notes with the pedals overcomes the harpsichord's lack of a sustain pedal. One can play the chords in the left hand while allowing the bass notes to continue sounding. The harpsichord in this context sound a bit like a cross between and honky-tonk piano and a banjo.