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Carol lei Breckenridge

Recapturing 18th-century Style on Period Instruments

Carol lei Breckenridge travels with 18th-century instruments: harpsichord, fortepiano, and clavichord. Her fortepiano is an exact copy built by Thomas and Barbara Wolf of a Dulcken piano in the Smithsonian Museum of about 1789, ideal for Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. The 5-octave, unfretted clavichord is a copy of late 18th-century Friederici instruments, built by Paul Irvin, well-suited to the music of C.P.E. Bach and other Baroque and Classical composers. Two harpsichords are available, both shop-built by Zuckermann Harpsichords International: Italian (Neapolitan model) and French (Blanchet model), ideal for Renaissance and Baroque literature.

Students and faculty alike have been overwhelmingly positive about Dr. Breckenridge's programs, workshops, masterclasses, and residencies. Giving students the opportunity to play some of the instruments of the Baroque and Classical eras opens up new insights into style. Lectures focus on 18th-century performance practice as illuminated by method books such as those by Quantz, C.P.E. Bach, Leopold Mozart, and Turk. Becoming aware of the principles of 18th-century music, and trying them on period instruments, has proven a very exciting, freeing experience for students.

Feel free to explore this web site to see the range of services provided by Dr. Breckenridge - the menu is on the left side of all web pages in this site.

Sample programs:

  • Harpsichord: "An Italian and French Feast: Frescobaldi to Couperin"
  • Fortepiano: "Music of the Viennese Masters: Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven"
  • Clavichord and Fortepiano: "German Poetry and Music: C.P.E. Bach"

Other options:

  • Lectures, Masterclasses, School programs, Fund-Raisers
Carol lei Breckenridge
Email: Carollei@breckenridgec.com