THE KEYBOARD TOCCATA: AN EVOCATIVE PATHWAY FROM THE RENAISSANCE TO THE MID-BAROQUE PERIOD

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Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to illustrate and trace one of the most predominant musical genres, the keyboard toccata. The pieces written for specific instruments emerged during the Renaissance until Mid-Baroque period. This technique of writing is called the idiomatic writing style. This was unlike in the past which composers did not specify their preferred instruments in the musical scores. Toccata stands among several types of musical genres which appeared in the late sixteenth century, for instance, intabulation, chant liturgy, theme and variations, ricercare, canzona, dance suite, prelude, and toccata. In addition, Renaissance and Baroque keyboard toccata serves in both liturgical and secular function in term of its usage. They might be composed for a purely entertainment purposed or an introduction pieces for ceremonies in churches.

Methods: This article utilized the historical research method mostly by examining the secondary sources such as published books and articles on early keyboard toccatas as well as related areas of study. The research aims to explore the development of the early keyboard toccata from the earliest composition for lute by Francesco da Milano in the Renaissance to J. S. Bach’s works in the Mid-Baroque period. This paper also examined purpose of keyboard toccata written during the chosen timeframe through some comparative as well as analytical analysis of toccata written by different ‘selected’ composers such as Andrea Gabrielli, Claudio Merulo, and Girolamo Diruta.

Results: The comparative as well as analysis in an evolution of the Renaissance to the Mid-Baroque Keyboard Toccata, illustrates that functions and performance practices of this musical genre has been changing through times. However, this term ‘toccata’ remains unchanged until present.

Conclusions: This research document examines trait of the keyboard toccata from its origin. This array ranges from the toccata written for lute up until later ones, written specifically for keyboard instruments or piano. Research information shown in this paper has proved that toccata is one of the most significant genres of music with its long historical background. Establishing the foundation from combination of sectional, free improvisatory, and imitative textures, altogether in the early toccata, then progressed to the use of some fugal elements as well as incorporating an emotional depth; illustrates very well shifted in its stylistic evolution of the keyboard toccata. The reflection of its transformation in terms of technical demands, musical styles, and structures from one composer to another finds very impressive and make the place of this music genre to stand very solid in keyboard literature.