In the 1920s and 1930s the harpsichord, until that time an almost forgotten instrument, began to be rediscovered thanks especially to performers like Wanda Landowska and composers like Manuel de Falla. In February 1935 Martinů composed two small movements titled Two Pieces for Harpsichord, H 244, on commission for the French harpsichordist Marcelle de Lacour. Soon thereafter this performer commissioned from him the Concerto for Harpsichord and Small Orchestra, which was completed already in September of the same year. The premiere was given by Ms. Lacour in January 1936 in a concert of the important society for contemporary music in Pans called "Triton".
When performing this work it is important to follow the composer's instructions regarding instrumentation. Like Falla in his concerto, Martinů called for a small accompanying orchestra of nine members, actually soloists - flute, bassoon, piano, three violins (optionally doubled), viola, cello, and contrabass. It also pays to take into consideration that in the 1930s the tone of the harpsichord resembled that of the piano in color and volume and that this is the instrument for which the work was written. If today it is performed by an acoustically more subtle harpsichord accompanied by a large chamber orchestra, the composer's intentions are doubly distorted. He wanted to write a work refined in sound, sparing in use of expressive means, and transparent in texture.
Aleš Březina, Bohuslav Martinů: Selected Masterpieces, © 2001 Supraphon Music a.s