Availability The Harpsichord Diaries

Elena’s Dream
Elaine Funaro (harpsichord)
Eric Love (narration)
Private Release [65.54]

Elaine Funaro is a well-known harpsichordist from North Carolina USA, specializing in both historical and contemporary music. She has performed throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia, and recorded 12 CDs. In addition to her busy performance schedule, Elaine is also the artistic director of the Alienor International Harpsichord Composition Competition. (As an aside, this highly-regarded competition for new harpsichord works recently announced its’ next event, the 10^th Alienor 2022 Competition, application deadline October 1, 2020). Elaine performs regularly on a custom-made contemporary harpsichord, the Kingston Opus #333, built by Richard Kingston.

Elaine has authored The Harpsichord Diaries, an imaginative children’s story and picture book with an accompanying CD. The story follows a young girl named Elena who discovers an old book in her Grandma’s attic titled The Harpsichord Diaries. The book magically transports her to Windsor Castle in the 16^th century where she meets Virginia Virginal, a small table-top harpsichord, and hears her story. She travels to 17^th century London and meets Henrick Hammer, personal instrument of Henry Purcell, and another double harpsichord in 18^th century Paris named Thomas Taskin. As she moves forward through history, Elena hears harpsichord music from each century, performed by Elaine. Her last stop before waking is Carnegie Hall in New York City.

The story provides a unique look at the development of the harpsichord, the music played on it over the centuries, and the harpsichord’s place in history. The book is a hard cover 40-page picture book, with illustrations by artist Andrea Love. The CD follows the story, and is narrated by writer/actor Eric Love, with Elaine performing the music on four different harpsichords. This book and CD combination is targeted for children aged 5-12 and is entertaining and educational. It is designed for a parent and child reading experience, but can also work well in classrooms and for other uses.

This project was a total family effort, with Elaine’s husband Randall Love performing Jeux d’eau on the piano. Their son Eric Love co-wrote as well as narrated, and his talented twin sister Andrea provided the artwork.

Bruce McCollum
 
Contents
1: Introduction (4:50)
J.S. Bach Well Tempered Clavier- Book 1 (1722) Prelude No.1 in C Major
Sonata No.1 (1991) Brise / lll. Toccata Edwin McLean
2: 16^th Century (8:07)
William Byrd My Lady Nevells Book (1591) Carmen’s Whistle / Pavan & Galliarde No. 2
3: 17^th Century (9:05)
Henry Purcell Lesson No. 5 in C (1696) Prelude, Almand, Corant
Misc. Pieces (1689) Ground in C Minor / Round O
4: 18^th Century (6:22)
C.B. Balbastre March des Marseillois (1792) Sonata No. 1 (1795) Helene Montgeroult
Prestissimo
G.B. Platti Sonata No. 8 in C Minor (1742) Fantasia Allegro (forte piano)
5: 19^th Century (10:38)
Alexander Voormolen Suite de Clavecin (1921)
Francis Thome Rigodon (1892)
Maurice Ravel Jeux d’eau (1901) Randall Love, piano
6: 20^th Century (6:26)
Edith Borroff Pop’s Hot Bath (1952) Three Bulgarian Dances (2000) Timothy Tikker
Ruchenitsa
7: Coda (4:54)
Edwin McLean Sonata No. 1 (1991) lll. Toccata
J.S. Bach Well Tempered Clavier- Book 1 (1722) Prelude No. 1 in C Major
8: The Harpsichord Diaries: A Musical Journey (15.22)