The Keyboard Time Machine
What did music sound like when it was written more than 300 years ago? And why do historical instruments sometimes sound so different from the ones we know from today’s concert halls?
In this special children’s concert, KiKA star Juri Tetzlaff and award-winning harpsichordist Elena Khurgina take young audiences on an exciting journey of discovery into the world of keyboard instruments.
At the heart of the programme are two fascinating sound worlds: the harpsichord, one of the most important keyboard instruments of the Baroque period and closely associated with the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, and the modern concert grand piano, familiar from today’s major concert halls.
Together, we will discover: Why does the harpsichord sound so clear, bright and almost like a string of pearls? And why can a concert grand play so loudly, softly, gently or dramatically?
Through playful demonstrations, children will discover that the harpsichord produces notes at virtually the same volume, no matter how firmly a key is pressed. The modern grand piano, by contrast, can express a whole range of emotions through its many shades of sound and volume – from the softest whisper to a mighty thunderclap.
Johann Sebastian Bach will also come to life: What role did the harpsichord play in his music? And how would his music sound today on a modern grand piano?
With humour, curiosity and energy, Juri Tetzlaff guides the audience through the programme, asking just the right questions to make music feel immediate and accessible. Elena Khurgina vividly and engagingly explains the background, revealing how instruments and their sounds have evolved over the centuries.
The result is a lively conversation between past and present, filled with music, surprises and opportunities for children to join in. A joyful, sound-filled adventure for young listeners – and a true celebration of music