Harpsichord Lessons & Repertoire — Mirco Lieber
Projects, Playlist and Concerts
My harpsichord repertoire includes compositions by J. S. Bach, D. Scarlatti, F. Couperin, C. Ph. E. Bach, G. Frescobaldi, J. Froberger, J. Ph. Rameau, and J. Haydn, spanning the Italian, French, and German schools of the Baroque and early Classical eras. I completed my master's degree in harpsichord at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW) in 2021, studying with Prof. Wolfgang Glüxam and Prof. Céline Frisch, after beginning my harpsichord studies in Ljubljana with Prof. Egon Mihajlović. The instrument's plucked-string mechanism calls for a different touch than the piano: articulation and ornamentation carry the expressive weight that dynamics provide on later keyboards. I bring this historically informed approach to my own online harpsichord lessons alongside my concert and chamber-music work.
Mirco Lieber-Harpsichordist
Discover the unique sound of the harpsichord with Mirco Lieber, a specialist trained at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW) under Prof. Wolfgang Glüxam and Prof. Céline Frisch. Whether you're a curious beginner or a pianist looking to explore early music, the online harpsichord lessons cover touch, articulation, and ornamentation—the techniques that give musical expression to a plucked instrument. Explore repertoire by Bach, Scarlatti, Couperin, and more, and join the ML Online Music School to begin your own historically informed journey.
Learn more about harpsichord lessons and Baroque music
Frequently Asked Questions about the Harpsichord
What are the technical differences between the harpsichord and the piano?
The harpsichord plucks the strings with a quill, instead of striking them with a hammer like a piano. This means that the volume of a single note cannot be changed by the force with which it is struck – instead, musical expression arises from articulation, phrasing, timing, and ornamentation. Those coming from the piano must consciously learn this new level of expression, but usually find their way around it more quickly than expected.
Do I need prior experience playing the piano to learn the harpsichord?
No, but it helps. Most of my harpsichord students come from the piano and transfer their keyboard experience to the new instrument quite quickly. Those who start without any keyboard experience will need a little more time for fingering and hand position, but can still learn the harpsichord just as well.
What is figured bass, and do I need to know it to play the harpsichord?
Figured bass (basso continuo) is a Baroque notation form in which only the bass line and figures for the harmonies are written out – the harpsichordist improvises the specific performance. Figured bass isn't strictly necessary for playing repertoire, but anyone interested in chamber music or historical performance practice will greatly benefit from understanding at least its basics.
How important is historical performance practice for beginners?
At the beginning, technique is paramount: touch, fingering, and a consistent sound. Historical performance practice—such as the correct execution of Baroque ornaments or stylistically appropriate phrasing—usually comes later, once the fundamentals are mastered.
Can I take harpsichord lessons if I don't own a harpsichord?
Yes. A digital piano with weighted keys, ideally with a harpsichord sound option, is sufficient to start with. Touch, fingering, and most ornamentation techniques can be easily practiced on it. For an authentic sound experience, a real harpsichord or a high-quality digital harpsichord is worthwhile in the long run.
Can I learn harpsichord online just as effectively as in face-to-face lessons?
Can I learn harpsichord online just as well as in person? Yes, with one caveat: The teacher can observe and correct touch, fingering, and ornamentation very precisely via Zoom, but the direct sound perception in the room is missing. For most students, the advantages—flexibility, no travel time, regular lessons—clearly outweigh the disadvantages, as long as they practice diligently between lessons.