Johann Andreas Streicher (1761-1833): Adagio for Harpsichord, E-flat Major

World Première Recording (?) This wonderful adagio movement, reminiscent in style of similar creations by Mozart, would seem to be meant to be played on the piano: after all, there are many dynamic markings in the score, and even “crescendo” indications. Yet the title of the work (in manuscript) states that it is an “Adagio pour le Clavecin” (“Adagio for the Harpsichord”). Let us remember that back around the 1790s, many people still had harpsichords; even the sonatas of Beethoven’s early period were all, according to their title pages, meant for piano or harpsichord. Of course, they could also be played on the clavichord, an instrument which does allow for dynamic variation. So why did Streicher state that the present work was for harpsichord, and then fill it with dynamic indications? Well, as C.P.E: Bach once wrote, if a score has dynamic markings, yet you wish to play it on the harpsichord, it is fine to simply ignore those indications! You see, musicians back then were often quite tolerant as to which keyboard instrument was used: the performer was expected to get the most out of the piece on the instrument at his or her disposal. Andreas Streicher was an interesting chap indeed. He was a very good friend of the famous poet, Friedrich Schiller, and even wrote a book about Schiller’s “Flight from Stuttgart to Mannheim”, at a time when the poet was wanted by the law. Streicher fled with him, so he knew all the details quite well! Streicher married Nanette Stein, daughter...