Peculiar Plants for Harpsichord: Harpsichord

Bond's harpsichord writing moves beyond Bach-era conventions to explore the instrument's character through a modern compositional lens. The title itself signals something unexpected: these pieces treat the harpsichord not as a historical artifact but as a voice with personality and wit.

The title promises botanical imagery translated into sound: unusual textures, surprising sonorities, and perhaps moments of whimsy or color. Despite the modern compositional approach, the harpsichord's inherent character remains central to how the music unfolds.

Harpsichordists comfortable with twentieth-century and contemporary music, as well as keyboard players interested in expanding beyond period-instrument conventions. Student harpsichordists preparing repertoire beyond the standard Baroque canon will find this accessible yet musically substantial.

• Attend closely to registration choices; the single page likely contains specific indications about which manual or stop combinations Bond intends for different sections
• Balance articulation and sustain carefully, since the harpsichord's plucked sound requires different phrasing strategies than the piano despite their keyboard similarity
• Honor the rhythmic precision Bond's contemporary language demands; avoid the rubato habits that suit Baroque harpsichord literature

Program this as part of a harpsichord recital that mixes periods and styles, or use it in a contemporary music concert to showcase how composers continue to find fresh possibilities in keyboard instruments. A single page makes it ideal for recital placement alongside longer works.

• Interpreting contemporary notation and expressive markings on a historical keyboard instrument
• Applying twentieth-century compositional techniques (potentially extended techniques or non-traditional harpsichord sonorities) within the harpsichord's mechanical constraints
• Reading and executing registration changes with precision