intonazione

A short introductory piece played by the organist at the beginning of a church service or before a psalm, providing the choir with the correct pitch and mode in which they are to sing. In early Baroque Italy the intonazione served as a brief improvisation establishing tonality. Frescobaldi's keyboard works often begin with a short arpeggiated or figured introductory passage that functions similarly — notably the opening pages of the Toccate, where the first toccata of each book serves partly as an \"intonation\" to the collection. The Avvertimenti instruct that the toccata be played initially \"slowly and arpeggiando, so that the instrument can be set in tune (accordato).\"

The intonazione concept shapes how you begin a Frescobaldi toccata: the opening is not a statement but an introduction — a gentle settling in to the mode and instrument. The first chords should be arpeggiated unhurriedly, as if testing the tuning. Do not rush to the passaggi; let the piece announce itself. This is also good advice for any Baroque keyboard work: the performer must first establish their relationship with the instrument and the room before making musical demands of either.