Dances With Harpsichords: A Contemporary Spin on Classical Roots
Elaine Funaro’s 2003 album Dances With Harpsichords, released under Centaur Records, offers a fascinating dive into the world of modern keyboard music. This isn’t your grandma’s harpsichord record—Funaro blends contemporary flair with classical precision, creating an experience that feels both fresh and timeless. If you’re into pieces that challenge tradition while nodding to it, this one’s worth a listen.
The album spans a wide range of styles, from playful dances to intricate odd-meter compositions. It’s hard not to notice how Funaro uses the harpsichord in ways that make it sound almost rebellious at times. Two tracks stuck out for me, and honestly? They’re still buzzing around my head days later.
First up is “With Playfulness.” The title says it all—it’s cheeky, light-footed, and full of personality. Funaro’s touch here feels like she’s having a blast, letting the instrument do its thing without overthinking it. There’s something about the way the melody bounces along that makes you wanna tap your feet or maybe even hum along (awkwardly, if you’re me). What really got me was how effortless it sounds, even though I know pulling off that kind of energy on a harpsichord ain’t easy. You can tell Funaro knows her stuff but doesn’t take herself too seriously. That combo? Gold.
Then there’s “Two-Timing,” part of the Three Odd Meters set. Whoa, does this track slap—or whatever the kids say these days. The rhythm switches keep you on edge, never quite settling into predictability. At first, I thought, “Wait, did they mess up the timing?” But nope, it’s totally intentional. By the halfway mark, I was hooked, trying to figure out where the beats would go next. Funaro pulls it off so smoothly that it almost tricks you into thinking it’s simple. Spoiler: It’s not. Hats off to her for making mathematically tricky music feel downright fun.
One thing I gotta mention is how Funaro manages to balance technical wizardry with emotional depth. Tracks like “With Steadiness” and “With Resolve” showcase her ability to shift gears, bringing a sense of calm focus when needed. And then boom—she throws in something wild like “Fandangle Indeed,” which feels like someone let loose at a fancy tea party. Honestly, it’s kinda hilarious in the best way possible.
If I had to nitpick, some sections might lean a bit heavy on repetition for certain listeners. But personally? I think it adds to the charm. This isn’t background music; it demands attention, and Funaro seems cool with that.
Reflecting on Dances With Harpsichords, what strikes me most is how Funaro redefines expectations. She takes an instrument often associated with powdered wigs and royal courts and gives it a pulse, a heartbeat. Listening to this album feels like watching someone repaint a classic portrait with neon colors—it shouldn’t work, but somehow it does.
Oh, and here’s a random thought: If harpsichords could talk, I bet this one would have some spicy stories to share. Just saying.
Artist:Elaine Funaro Album: Dances With Harpsichords
Lambert's Clavichord: Twelve Pieces for Clavichord, Op 41~Hughes Ballet
01:26
With Playfulness
1:01
Fandangle Indeed
7:18
Rigadon
4:8
With Casualness
0:51
Colca Canyon: VI. Maca
1:16
7 Innocent Dances: No. 5, With Fire
0:35
Coporaque
0:48
Tambourin From Suite #1
3:05
Malaguena
2:49
Lambert's Clavichord, Op. 41: No. 10, Sir Hugh's Galliard
1:18
3 Odd Meters: No. 2, Pentatempo Waltz
2:30
7 Innocent Dances: No. 4, With Excitement
1:7
Suite Española: III. Seguidillas
3:27
Pequena Suíte Brasileira: VI. Desafío
1:16
With Steadiness
0:54
Ruchenitsa
1:58
Pequena Suite Brasileira, for harpsichord~Dança Negra
00:46
Innocent Dances (7), for harpsichord~With Resolve
01:20
Pequena Suíte Brasileira: V. Capoeira
1:29
Les Noto
2:45
Dances from Colca Canyon, for keyboard~Maca
01:16
Lambert's Clavichord, Op. 41: No. 9, De La Mare's Pavane
3:17
Lambert's Clavichord (Opus 41)
(6:06)
De La Mere Pavane
3:15
Suite Española, for harpsichord~Seguidillas
03:27
7 Innocent Dances: No. 6, With Pomposity
2:3
7 Innocent Dances: No. 2, With Resolve
1:20
Desafio
1:14
Pequena Suite Brasileira, for harpsichord~Samba
01:02
Innocent Dances (7), for harpsichord~With Casualness
00:52
Innocent Dances (7), for harpsichord~With Fire
00:35
Samba
1:00
Colca Canyon: I. Callalli
0:53
Three Odd Meters, for harpsichord~Pentatempo Waltz
02:30
Colca Canyon: V. Pinchollo
1:20
Three Odd Meters, for harpsichord~3 3 4
01:31
Lambert's Clavichord: Twelve Pieces for Clavichord, Op 41~de La Mere Pavane
03:17
Bulgarian Dances (3), for harpsichord~Les Noto
02:46
Pequena Suíte Brasileira: III. Dança Negra
0:46
Bulgarian Dances (3), for harpsichord~Ruchenitsa
01:57
Lambert's Clavichord: Twelve Pieces for Clavichord, Op 41~Sir Hugh's Galliard
01:18
Callalli
0:51
Sir Hugh's Galliard
1:16
3 Odd Meters: No. 3, Two-Timing
0:58
Bulgarian Dances (3), for harpsichord~Pravo
01:52
Pequena Suite Brasileira, for harpsichord~Cantiga de Cego
01:12
Cantiga De Cego
1:11
Dances from Colca Canyon, for keyboard~Yanquye
01:35
Pequena Suite Brasileira, for harpsichord~Capoeira
01:29
3 Bulgarian Dances: No. 3, Ruchenitsa
1:57
Pentatempo Waltz
2:28
Seven Innocent Dances
(7:59)
With Excitement
1:06
Dances from Colca Canyon, for keyboard~Pinchollo
01:20
Danca Negra
0:45
Dances from Colca Canyon, for keyboard~Achoma
01:45
Innocent Dances (7), for harpsichord~With Steadiness
00:56
7 Innocent Dances: No. 3, With Playfulness
1:3
Pequena Suíte Brasileira: I. Samba
1:2
7 Innocent Dances: No. 1, With Casualness
0:52
Romanza
2:41
Suite Española: II. Romanza
2:45
Colca Canyon: III. Yanquye
1:35
Pravo
1:52
Downtown Swagger Rag
5:11
Dances from Colca Canyon, for keyboard~Callalli
00:53
3 Odd Meters: No. 1, 3+3+4
1:31
Two-Timing
0:55
Suite No. 1, for harpsichord~Tambourin
03:03
Fandangle Indeed, for harpsichord
07:18
Suite No. 1: Tambourin
3:3
Bossa Nova
1:47
Dances from Colca Canyon, for keyboard~Coporaque
00:50
Innocent Dances (7), for harpsichord~With Excitement
01:07
Pinchollo
1:19
Pequena Suíte Brasileira: IV. Cantiga de Cego
1:12
Innocent Dances (7), for harpsichord~With Pomposity
02:03
Yanquye
1:33
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Catalog Numbers
CRC 2651
Labels
Centaur Records
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Album
Credits
Role
Credit
Harpsichord
Elaine Funaro
Interesting fact about Album
Did you know? Elaine Funaro's album *Dances With Harpsichords* is a wild ride through modern classical music. Released in 2003, it blends playful tunes, quirky rhythms, and traditional dances from around the world. One standout track, "Two-Timing," even experiments with odd time signatures, keeping listeners on their toes. It’s not every day you hear a harpsichord groove like this!
