ELENA’S DREAM

The Harpsichord Diaries

Elena’s Dream: The Harpsichord Diaries Audio Play written and performed by Eric Love

Dive deeper into music and history by listening to the audio play that inspired this children’s book. The nearly hour long experience features over 20 eccentric characters who evocatively dramatize events from history. These stories are underscored with expressive harpsichord music from across five centuries. Harpsichordist Elaine Funaro performed the diverse score on four different instruments.

• Introduction 4:50 Elena hates playing the harpsichord. After throwing a tantrum, she runs up to her grandmother’s attic where she discovers a magical book.

  -Well Tempered Clavier – Book 1 (1722) J. S. Bach Prelude No. 1 in C Major

  -Sonata No. 1 (1991) Edwin McLean I. Brisé, III. Toccata

• 16th Century 8:07 Elena time travels to the year 1591 and finds herself in England at Windsor Castle. She meets a talkative British Virginal named Virginia, who takes her to a ball held by Queen Elizabeth.

  -My Lady Nevells Book (1591) William Byrd Carmen’s Whistle Pavan & and Galliarde No. 2.

• 17th Century 9:05 Elena’s next adventure takes here to London in 1695. There she meets Henrick Hammer, a cute harpsichord and personal instrument to the famous English composer Henry Purcell.

  -Lesson No 5 in C (1696) Henry Purcell Prelude, Almand, Corant

  -Misc. Pieces (1689) Henry Purcell Ground in C Minor Round O

• 18th Century 6:22 Elena finds herself in the middle of a trial during the French Revolution in 1795, Paris, France. She meets Thomas Taskin, an eccentric harpsichord who helps save the life of musician Hélène Montgeroult.

  -March des Marseillois (1792) C.B. Balbastre

  -Sonata No. 1 (1795) Hélène Montgeroult Prestissimo

  -Sonata No. 8 in C Minor (1742) G.B. Platti I. Fantasia Allegro (forte piano)

• 19th Century 10:38 In 1892, Elena finds Thomas Taskin locked away in a closet at the Paris Conservatory. Thomas is freed only to find himself face to face with an imposing grand piano.

  -Suite de Clavecin (1921) Alexander Voormolen

  -Rigodon (1892) Francis Thomé

  -Jeux d’eau (1901) Maurice Ravel Randall Love, piano

• 20th Century 6:26 Elena travels to1999, arriving in New York City on the stage of Carnegie Hall. She meets a vividly painted modern harpsichord named Kenneth King.

  -Pop’s Hot Bath (1952) Edith Borroff

  -Three Bulgarian Dances (2000) Timothy Tikker Ruchenitsa

• Coda 4:54 Elena wakes up at Grandma’s house. Was it all just a dream?

  -Sonata No. 1 (1991) Edwin McLean III. Toccata

  -Well Tempered Clavier – Book 1 (1722) J. S. Bach Prelude No. 1 in C Major