Harpsichord Concerto (Glass)

Glass wrote the concerto with the Baroque tradition in mind; however, in order to approach the work in a modern idiom, he calls for a contemporary chamber orchestra to accompany the harpsichord.

The concerto opens on a scale and long trill played by the harpsichord, which first seems to resemble Bach before turning decisively into a recognizably Glass-style configuration of triplets.

The orchestra is low at this point, and after perhaps forty seconds, enters the scene with short bursts which aid the harpsichord's rapid spins.

The slower, ten-minute second movement begins with a simple repetitive rhythm by the harpsichord, which after a short duration leads into a lyrical neo-Baroque theme.

After a period of approximately two minutes, flutes, bassoon and oboe begin a varied, lengthy partnership while the strings and harpsichord provide a gentle pulse.

Despite many residual minimalist characteristics throughout the work, such as repetitive triplets and relatively constant pulse, the concerto is tremendously varied, especially in the second movement.

Themes are not restated at a noticeably increased amount, and tend to be clustered in groups of two (not unlike the thematic structure of symphonic work by Mozart or Haydn).