For the majority of music in the baroque period, whether purely instrumental, chamber, or for the church or opera house, a keyboard instrument played a pivotal role in the continuo group. Yet for music of the classical period, especially the classical symphony, the role of the keyboard (or even if one is used at all) has become somewhat of a contentious issue. The English Concert’s Principal Guest Director Kristian Bezuidenhout offers his thoughts on the argument.
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