Toccata is a popular piece of music in the Western world, which is as curious as the very word sounds! It is a virtuoso piece of music which is better executed with the key-board or a plucked string instrument. Imagine ‘click’, `click’. ‘click’ on these instruments with quick touches (on the keys), resulting in rapidity in playing notes. Then it is toccata.
The toccata pieces are with or without imitative or frugal interludes, generally emphasising the dexterity of the player’s fingers.
The term originated in northern Italy in the 16th century as key-board compositions in which one hand and then the other performs virtuosic runs and brilliant cascading passages. It was in Germany that this technique flowered further, culminating in the wonderful work of Johann Sabastian Bach, a century later. What is referred to as `Baroque toccata’ recalls the heights of extravagance one notices in the architecture of the 17th Century Western world with its overwhelming details.
Bach’s toccatas: They are the outcome of a musical genius, the very same way Mozart’s sonatas are. Unlike Mozart’s works extensively used in music therapy, Bach’s toccatas are not popular. It was a chance discovery by the researchers of Nada Centre for Music Therapy that when they started working with some mentally challenged children, and made them listen to the speedy toccatas – as part of their listening to music, the volunteers noticed that by making such children listen to toccatas, they could engage themselves to the fast rhythm exhibited by such music.
They were in a ‘concentration mode’ as long as the music went. Though they were not significantly cured, the parents and caretakers of children did express that they were fascinated by the magic of this music whenever they listened to it and it gave them a tremendous sense of lightness and happiness.
States of depression and helplessness suffered by people can be overcome by making toccatas a listening habit. Perhaps the rhythms in this form of music affects the body rhythms of depressed people, who are in low.
Over a time, the musical rhythm can get synchronised and bring in sunshine and joy to those who badly need them.
The toccata recommended is Toccata and Fugue in D Minor BWV 565. It is one of the most popular organ works today. It is an improvisatory composition, often followed by an independent fugue movement, which can overpower the mind from its over-thinking mode.
As well known it is the excessive thought processes (beyond the necessary levels) that causes mental problems and woes. Therefore this piece may well be recommended for those prone to think too much. Think less, if you want happiness!
For this, listen to toccata and fugue!
This article was published in Bhavans Journal April 30, 2014
Edited by Geeta Shreedar, Nov. 15, 2021