toccata

A genre of free-form keyboard composition originating in the 16th century, named from the Italian toccare (to touch). In Frescobaldi's hands the toccata became one of the most sophisticated keyboard forms of the Baroque era: a succession of contrasting sections moving between improvisatory passaggi, meditative affetti, and brief imitative passages, all unified by the performer's control of timing and affect. Frescobaldi's toccatas were not metered in the modern sense — each section follows its own internal logic. The preface to Toccate I gives detailed instructions on the management of tempo, arpeggio, and expression that are indispensable for performance.

Approach a Frescobaldi toccata as if improvising, not as if reading a composed piece from beginning to end. Each section has its own tempo and character; find the transitions. The preface to Toccate I (Avvertimenti al lettore) is as important as the notes themselves — read it before playing. Key instructions include: do not take the barline too strictly; the beginning should be slow and arpeggiated; the passaggi should follow the character of the preceding affetto; endings (closing runs) may be hurried slightly. Modern editions typically reprint the Avvertimenti in full.