A Taste of Baroque on the Harpsichord

By Kent Guy

On Tuesday April 19, Fassett Auditorium hosted professional harpsichordist Steve Hilton for a concert of baroque music. Titled “A Taste of Baroque,” the concert was really an education in Baroque. The accomplished playing was interspersed with lively and accessible commentary on the harpsichord, and the differences between the French, Italian and German styles with representative composers.

Hilton brought his own harpsichord, an instrument built for him in Charlotte, where he lives. He plays in Baroque ensembles and orchestras throughout North Carolina. Asked how he became interested in the harpsichord, he responded that he became frustrated with playing Bach on the piano, and tried it on the harpsichord, he finally realized that he had the right music and the right instrument.