A Catalogue of French Harpsichord Music 1699-1780

This catalogue completes the bibliographic survey of French harpsichord music begun in Bruce Gustafson's French Harpsichord Music of the Seventeenth Century: A Thematic Catalogue of Sources with Commentary (Ann Arbor, 1979). It has entries for all of the printed music known to have existed, over 230 volumes, and 150 manuscripts. It offers precise transcriptions of the title pages, full contents, dating, locations, editions, facsimiles, evaluations in the contemporary press, identifications of dedicatees, and stylistic comments.

The eighteenth-century French harpsichord repertory is shown to extend from 1699 to about 1780, from Louis Marchand's Pièces de clavecin to the four Symphonies concertantes by Jean-François Tapray that juxtapose the harpsichord and piano as solo instruments. All original keyboard music is included. Since the introduction of the piano into France occurred during the twenty years preceding 1780, this Catalogue includes some music that may have been intended for that instrument rather than for the harpsichord. This period of transition is discussed in full in the Introduction.

Readership: Harpsichordists, musicologists with particular interest in French eighteenth-century keyboard music.

Bruce Gustafson, Associate Professor of Music, Franklin and Marshall College, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and David Fuller, Professor of Music, State University of New York at Buffalo

"`In concept and execution the catalogue could hardly be improved. I have subjected it to a short period of intensive and, other than minutiae, have found nothing lacking.' David Ledbetter, Early Music"

"`comprehensive survey of a still incompletely explored literature ... the book can be hailed as a major accomplishment, a scholarly reference work of permanent value.' Musical Times"

"'The concept, organization and layout of this catalogue seem ideal, and its accuracy highly commendable ... It has obvious value as a rich source of information; but, in their evident enthusiasm for and dedication to the subject, Gustafson and Fuller have compiled much more than a merely factual catalogue. They inspire the reader to look further, to follow up ideas suggested, and - one hopes - to play this marvellous repertory. The volume is handsomely produced by the Clarendon Press, and all in all is a splendid achievement.' John Kitchen, University of Edinburgh, Journal of the RMA"

"'in intent and fact it is a catalogue, with listings of works plus explanatory comments and information of greatest value to performing musicians seeking new music to play as well as to future researchers ... Quibbles with the volume are pointless; it does what it sets out to do in a no-nonsense, thorough way. It is for the specialist, yet it remains engaging at every juncture. This catalogue is warmly recommended: as a reference tool in its genre it is unrivaled.' George Lucktenberg, Clayton State College, Notes, December 1992"

"'The format of Gustafon and Fuller's volume is spacious and the printing clear. Information is logically arranged, lucidly presented, and easily accessed. Gustafson and Fuller's catalogue is a treasure trove of information about eighteenth-century French harpsichord music. Its thorough documentation of sources makes abundantly evident not only the enormous scope of the literature but also the pressing need for further inquiry.' Carol Henry Bates, Early Keyboard Journal 12 (1994)"