EarlyMusicNews.Org

Jean-Paul Rouaud, Harpsichord Maker. See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 472

"Since 1980, our studio manufactures musical instruments of historical origins designed to meet the musician's needs. All types of musical instruments (harpsichord, virginal, clavichord, muselaar, clavicytherium, ... ) are conceived with the intent to produce musical instruments that possess character in accordance with the objectives, faculty, and sensitivity of the artist.

Our goal is to restore each musical instrument to its original form based on organologic research and studies.

Our teams of researchers have concentrated on 16th and 17th century musical artifacts and currently are particularly interested in medieval instruments. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 480

"My shop provides historically based finished instruments, performs restorations, repairs and instrument completions. I specialize in quilling with celcon for a dramatic increase in performance, sound and reliability. I have completed many unfinished instruments for clients who have not chosen to do so themselves for whatever reason. Repair and restoration work is performed with the intention of rendering instruments "concert" ready.

My clients here in the arid Western United States including the Aspen Music Festival and Institute, Denver School of the Arts and the University of Northern Colorado have the advantage of purchasing an instrument made from wood that has acclimated to a drier climate. All case and soundboard parts have air dried for at least seven years. Swiss pine soundboards may be as old as thirty years. After reaching my workshop these materials season for a further period of at least one month before construction begins. This insures stability of tuning and lessens the need for frequent and costly adjustments to the action. Instruments brought here from the wetter coastal areas invariably develop numerous splits and cracks in the soundboard and case. Conversely however, when I send an instrument from here to a moister environment, the wood merely expands a bit but does not break. You won't need to create a climate controlled music room for your harpsichord.

Over the past twenty-two years I have built forty+ early keyboard instruments. You may choose from several instruments including the painted French double harpsichord, Flemish single and double harpsichords, Italian harpsichord, a single manual harpsichord in hand oiled American cherry and a large or small clavichord. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 488

"As of 1988, I learned the basics with  Lewis Jones, at the London College of Furniture, later London Guildhall, now London Metropolitan University. After much research 'Ariata' eventually came into being, and this is the trade name for my  interpretation of a  single manual F to f French harpsichord. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 08, 2008 | Hits: 490

"I came to the mechanical trades after studying music at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. In Boston, I took a diploma in piano technology under Bill Garlick and earned guild qualification as a tuning examiner. Since 1985 I have built 100+ fortepianos after Walter, Hofmann and Graf. My list of clients includes many fine players and institutions.

After some years in Amsterdam, I came to the Czech Republic in 1995. I found that various woods grown in the Czech Republic resembled those seen in old Viennese pianos.In fact it was written in 1823 that Conrad Graf preferred to get his soundboards from the Schwarzenberg Forest in Southern Bohemia, and indeed there is still the narrow Schwarzenberg Canal leading from the headwaters of the Moldau all the way to the Danube. A man who selects wood for violin makers chooses my logs from this forest.

My workshop is well equipped. In my own work I follow the information I have collected during museum research and restoration, most particularly preserving the measurements of soundboard and hammer mechanism. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 500

I have been making and restoring keyboard instruments in my own shop since 1977. During this time, I have restored instruments for regional and state museums and private customers. This has allowed me first-hand access to original instruments over a long period of time, and given me the opportunity to learn from them. This process has shaped my working habits and benefited my own instruments. Except for those listed as such, the instruments from my shop are not copies. They are based on research and restoration of several old instruments. Important details such as key ratio and dip or jack weight are, however, faithfully reproduced in the light of the historic traditions. Each instrument is made entirely of solid wood using only hot (hide) glue. ...

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 505

"We have been custom-building fine early keyboard instruments such as harpsichords, clavichords, virginals, spinets, and fortepianos since 1968. Please browse our extensive line of custom made finished instruments and instrument kits that you can assemble yourself.

We also provide instrument finishing such as soundboard and case paintings, gilding, and original artwork as specified by the customer. Other services to address your early keyboard needs include restringing, requilling, voicing, and instrument rentals.

Let us help you to discover the fulfillment of owning a beautifully made classical harpsichord, clavichord, virginal, spinet or fortepiano. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 506

"Since 1991, the R.M.Sevillano workshop makes harpsichords, spinets and clavichords. Our instruments quality, guaranteed by the judgement of well-known specialists, is based in the blending of two principles: getting a quality sound with a light, solid and precise mechanics. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 20, 2009 | Hits: 509

"I began building harpsichords and clavichords shortly after graduation from college in 1975, while employed as a biochemical research technician. My growing fascination with the instruments and their music led me to return to graduate school, culminating in the receipt of a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Chicago in 1987. During my academic years I continued to produce instruments for my own use, and also carried out extensive work in the maintenance and repair of instruments by other makers. This opportunity to examine instruments by a variety of makers taught me a lot about the elements that go into a good instrument, as well as seeing first hand a number of construction practices that usually result in unhappy consequences.

It was also during this academic period that I began my long association with the Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. An initial summer internship was followed by a one-year post-graduate fellowship, which allowed me to study the surviving 16th-century Flemish virginals. In subsequent years I have frequently returned to the collection to examine various instruments. This opportunity to study the works of the great makers of the past has had a tremendous influence on my own work; each time I visit the collection I leave with an increased appreciation for the knowledge and craftsmanship of the old builders. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 24, 2008 | Hits: 518

“Over the past 30 years, Yves Beaupré harpsichords have won acclaim for the beauty of their sound and appearance, as well as for their stability and mechanical reliability.

Yves Beaupré - himself a harpsichordist - draws his inspiration from the main schools of harpsichord-making. By visiting important collections of historic instruments, including those in Antwerp, Edinburgh, Paris, and Washington, he has intensively studied representative models of these schools. He respects the traditions of his craft in his choice of materials, dimensions, and acoustic properties. He is convinced, nevertheless, that understanding and interpreting tradition results in instruments that are artistically and musically superior to slavish copies. Each Yves Beaupré harpsichord is an original.

Instruments can be expertly, tastefully, and appropriately decorated by Danièle Forget."

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 535

My interest in early keyboard instruments dates back to 1978. Since 1985 I have been making harpsichords, spinets, virginals and clavichords in my own workshop in the northwest of Austria. I have also restored a few original instruments for private owners in Austria.

My instruments are never exact copies. They are either inspired by a particular historical instrument which has in most cases been personally examined, or they are built in the style of a certain instrument-making school and period. Each of my instruments is individually handcrafted to order. They are built o­n strictly historical lines using appropriate methods and materials which would have been used by the old masters. Working o­n my own I build o­nly a small number of instruments per year. I make most of the components myself, including keyboards, action parts, tuning pins and various other items like tangents and overspun strings for clavichords. The action consists of traditional wooden jacks with no regulating screws, the tuning pins are hand-forged with flat tops and no holes but they have a light hand-filed thread.

Most recent restorations include a square piano which is said to have been in the possession of Konstanze Mozart.

Added on: Mar 19, 2007 | Hits: 537

Early keyboard and part supplier. See the site for more information.

Added on: May 22, 2007 | Hits: 547

"Darryl Martin was born and initially educated in Perth, Western Australia, before moving to Britain (to become a full-time instrument maker) in 1986. Since 1989 he has been based in Edinburgh. Initially trained as a musical instrument maker, specialising in early keyboard instruments, he then pursued a more academic approach to instrument research and commenced a PhD on the subject of English virginals – a thesis which looked at all aspects of the instrument from a design, construction and decorative point-of-view. He was awarded his PhD by the University of Edinburgh in 2003.

Since 1990 Darryl has been involved with the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments (EUCHMI), initially making technical drawings of a number of instruments and then writing catalogues, which has now amounted to all of the plucked and bowed Western instruments in the Collection. In 2004 he was appointed to the position of Curator of the Musical Instrument Collections. The Collections include the non-keyboard Donaldson Collection housed (mostly) at the Reid Concert Hall, and the keyboard collections at St Cecilia’s Hall, including the Russell and Mirrey Collections. Darryl regularly gives papers at international conferences and has been widely published in British and foreign journals. Present research work includes a transcription and edition of the “Talbot Manuscript” – a seventeenth century source which discusses musical instruments that were known and used in England. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 557

Marc Fontaine, Harpsichord Maker. See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 565

"I design und build exclusive, reliable portative organs in different styles, in small series or individually according to my customers’ wishes.

Due to my personal knowledge and experience with music from the middle ages, I´m able to offer absolutely reliable instruments for everyday use as well as for the stage.

Following renovations, my small, but very fine organ workshop here in Koetz, (about 80 km from Munich), is ready for new adventures.

I offer: building and sale of instruments, consultation, service, lessons, instruments on loan and much more. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 23, 2008 | Hits: 572

"As a specialist on Italian harpsichords and maker of other string keyboard instruments, I offer a synthesis of research on their history with the building of new instruments to meet your requirements.

You can inform yourself about my thesis and other publications on Italian instruments including stringing with Nuremberg wire."

Added on: Apr 10, 2007 | Hits: 586

"After having worked for more than 20 years in Holland I moved in May 2007 my workshop to Spain. By now I have made almost 200 harpsichords and clavichords, some for institutions (e.g. Royal Conservatory of the Hague and Hogeschool voor de Kunsten Utrecht, Holland, Royal College of Music London, U.K.) others for professional performers (e.g. Trevor Pinnock, Richard Egarr, Siebe Henstra) and amateur musicians. Many instruments can be heard on CD (e.g. G.B. Giusti 1681: J.J. Froberger/complete keyboard works/Richard Egarr/Globe GLB 6022 and Toccate Partite e Passacagli/Siebe Henstra/Ricercar RIC 167136. J. Ruckers 1638 and H. Hemsch 1754: Fr. Couperin/4 livres de pièces de clavecin/Michael Borgstede/Brillant classics 93082. J. Ruckers 1638: J. S. Bach/Sonates pour flûte/Pierre Hantaï a.o./Virgin Classics VC 5 45350 2. J. Ruckers 1624: J. S. Bach/Sonates pour flûte/Pascal Dubreuil a.o./Arion arn 268386)

I prefer to copy well documented main stream instruments from the 17th and 18th century. This choice enables me to experiment within the tradition of the time in a series of instruments and reduces the building costs as well. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 16, 2008 | Hits: 592

Harpsichord maker. Follow his latest construction on a well documented blog. Photos of construction added for detail. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 06, 2008 | Hits: 600

“As an instrument builder, I am not very sensitive to contact through Internet. For those who love to touch wood and other natural materials, to hear a sound, a voice, for those whose daily life is composed of nuances, sensitivity, and, it must be confessed, subjectivity, the screen seems cold, anonymous and even arrogant by its pretentions to bring everything to us, served at home. What is more, to try to describe our activity would be to limit it. Each instrument is a unique creation and we are continually designing new models, and engaging in projects, restaurations, repairs, or supplying instruments for major music festivals, concerts and recordings. We are also continually researching historic and new materials. .... So this site will not be exhaustive. It will, however, provide you with some simple information on our instruments, presenting you with different models and some photos. ..“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 626

" ... I spent three years at Eric's (Eric Herz) workshop and then three additional years at Hubbard Harpsichords. I never met Frank Hubbard; he had died several years before. However, the firm continued in his tradition, nurtured by his widow Diane and by Hendrik Broekman, the workshop's master craftsman and himself a former apprentice of Frank's.

Eventually I decided I was ready to set up my own workshop. My first commissions were the fruits of a partnership with another ex-Hubbard employee. Finally, in 1997, with the help of my wife Marina I established my own business as David Werbeloff Harpsichords.

I have learned my craft the old-fashioned way: by apprenticing in established workshops and by soaking up the knowledge, wisdom, and experience of my teachers. I like to think of myself as a third generation representative of the Boston School of harpsichord making.

A craft tradition is not static; each craftsperson contributes a new understanding and fresh ideas to the field. In the case of harpsichord making, the practices were lost at the end of the 18th century and innovators such as Dolmetsch, Chickering and Hubbard helped bring them to life again. Now it is the task of workshops like mine to build on their pioneering work and take the harpsichord building tradition another step forward (or rather, backward) toward its golden age. " Visit site for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 24, 2008 | Hits: 629

Den Ciul & Dawn Lyons -- "We build, sell, service, repair, rent, restore, tune, and transport harpsichords, clavichords, spinets, virginals, forte pianos and other historical keyboard instruments. Our shop is in Toronto, Ontario Canada, but our "territory" is much larger. With our trusty Van Strype we travel regularly to visit our clients and their instruments in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, and the states of Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana; New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and both Carolinas (we really like that, do call us if you are from a warm place!). We also do consulting and appraisals as well as sales and service. If you are looking for a harpsichord, or just want to find out more about them, you've come to the right place. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 630

Carey Beebe is probably the most traveled and best known Australian harpsichord maker. After a music degree and three performance diplomas he became more interested in harpsichord construction, and trained at the prominent American workshop of D. Jacques Way. In 1982 he was made the youngest ever International Agent for Zuckermann Harpsichords Inc, but since 1999 has been working exclusively with Marc Ducornet and THE PARIS WORKSHOP.

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 659

This site contains a list of harpsichords, spinets, virginals, clavichords and pianofortes that are for sale throughout the whole world.

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 811

"Tatsuo Takahashi was born in 1952 in Tokyo. His grandfather was a master furniture artisan who lived through the Art Deco period in his youth, and his two uncles are also furniture artisans of the highest level.

In such an environment, Takahashi was able to develop woodworking skills and an intimacy with the spirit of wood from a young age. He took interest in the harpsichord as a 17 year-old high school student, and gradually began researching the instrument. He was only 20 years old when he finished building his first harpsichord, during his days as a student at the Musashi Institute of Technology. Since then, he has continued to build harpsichords and clavichords using his own unique methods. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 09, 2007 | Hits: 987

"I've worked with Kevin Fryer since 1999, and together with the client we enjoy creating an overall visual scheme designed to compliment, but not compete with the instrument itself. I've applied the same sensitivity to the integrity of tonal and visual qualities in a number of highly successful collaborations with other instrument makers. " ...

Added on: Oct 29, 2005 | Hits: 1846