For a period in the late 18th century, Joseph Haydn and Thomas Arne wrote concertos that could be played interchangeably on harpsichord, fortepiano, and (in some cases) pipe organ.
[citation needed] In this context, harpsichords were more usually employed as a continuo instrument, playing a harmonised bass part in nearly all orchestral music, the player often also directing the orchestra.
[citation needed] In this piece, its usual continuo role is alternated with prominent solo obbligato episodes in all three movements.
In the first movement the harpsichord, after rapid scales up and down the length of its range, embarks on a solo cadenza which lasts for 3–4 minutes, while the orchestra is silent.
Bach's Italian concerto BWV 971 is in this transcription style, though it was written as an original piece for harpsichord.