EarlyMusicNews.Org

The Harpsichord Clearing House contains the most comprehensive inventory of early keyboard instruments for sale in North America. HCH has been building and brokering since 1969, and, today, represents instruments from virtually every builder. Our Gallery, located between Boston, MA and Providence, RI houses over 45 new and used harpsichords, clavichords, fortepianos, and organs for you to play and compare.

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 417

“In addition to my regular building and restoration, I also offer a variety of services regarding the stringing of historical pianos, both originals and copies. These include the interpretation of existing gauge marks, the devising of entirely new stringing schedules when no marks are present and the design and fabrication of wound bass strings of all types and materials, both open and closed wrapped. I rely upon a combination of evidence drawn from original instruments, information gleaned from original piano making manuals of the 19th century, and a sophisticated computerized analysis technique. Surviving strings are faithfully copied in wrapping form and hitchpin loop. Bass core wires are always pre-stretched before wrapping until they stabilize at 80% rupture load in order to assure rapid stability of pitch once mounted and prevent in-situ stretching which can create loose wraps. Modern steel core stock is never used, and every attempt is made to find the best possible solution from among the various available “historical” wire types.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 416

" Harpsichord, virginals, spinets and clavichords based on the historical traditions and European national schools. Entirely hand made by the author , starting from the technical drawings to the decoration.

Making of my instruments is based on the classical tradition. This means that, even if inspired by the national schools of harpsichord making or by single makers of the past, my instruments, generally, are not close copies of any historical instrument.

Anyway, my wiews on remaking instruments is inscribed within the rules of this craft as we know reading the old treatises, examining the survived instruments of the past and studing the tradition of this art between XVI and XVIII centuries. ..." Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 02, 2008 | Hits: 416

"Andrew Garlick has been building harpsichords, spinets and virginals in Somerset since 1972 and has gained an outstanding reputation for the quality craftsmanship, clear tone and fine appearance of his instruments. Built to order using authentic materials with accurate historic detailing, they can be decorated to suit individual requirements.

Andrew specialises in French and Flemish harpsichords and examples of his work can be seen all over the world. Many are owned by well-known performers and are often featured in concerts, radio broadcasts and recordings. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 09, 2007 | Hits: 413

"Colin has been a harpsichordist and harpsichord-maker for more than 30 years.

He has sold around 300 instruments worldwide, and can point to an unusually large proportion of these sales, to Early Music professionals, and harpsichordists in particular. The playing qualities of his instruments have an edge over those of many makers, due to his sensitivity as a player, to touch and response. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 410

"Kennedy Harpsichords is a small workshop in Tuscany, Italy building harpsichords and clavichords after 17th and 18th Century historical models.

Our instruments can be found throughout the world and heard on more than 100 recordings. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 408

"I provide a service of harpsichord and fortepiano hire for concerts, recordings, rehearsals and tours.

Tuning of hire instruments, or your own instrument, for events in any location and to any temperament specified.

Transport of modern or antique instruments by road to any location in the UK or Europe.

I can also provide advice for people wishing to buy or sell new or second-hand instruments, or with any aspect of looking after early keyboard instruments. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 05, 2008 | Hits: 407

I have been building clavichords and harpsichords since 1977. Using traditional materials and methods, I am known for instruments of rich character and 'color,' and for attention to details of touch and reliability. I work alone, which allows me to focus all my energy and passion o­n each instrument.

It is very important, I believe, that I am a player myself. All of my instruments receive a proper playing-in, and I expect them to satisfy my own demands as a player before I send them out into the world.

I have built instruments for the Indiana University Early Music Institute, Reed College, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Brigham Young University, Southwest Oregon Community College, the University of Oregon, Willamette University, Central Washington University and Boston University. My private clients value their privacy, and I respect it. But I will be happy to refer serious inquiries to them for an independent view of my work, as well as of my timeliness and general business practices ...

Added on: Jul 04, 2005 | Hits: 405

"If it has to do with harpsichords, clavichords, fortepianos, or antique pianos, I probably do it. Stringed keyboard instruments are my passion and my world. In addition to my hands on work, I am a dedicated player, researcher, writer and lecturer. Research, performance, building and repairs all come together to inform one another. Each instrument has to rise to my playing and historic standards.

Whether you would like to acquire an instrument, new, used, or antique, or restore, repair or decorate one you already have, get an appraisal or evaluation, schedule a tuning or concert services, I am happy to be of service. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 25, 2008 | Hits: 401

“A dedicated resource guide for the restoration enthusiast who is looking for information on restoring the early square piano!

I confess, doing biographies on yourself was never in my comfort zone, and I attached the material below from the standard issue I use for board seat web pages and speaking engagements, with the bit about pianos thrown in for the benefit of this particular site. But in general, I became interested in early keyboards while still in college, having encountered a kit clavichord that a physics professor had made, and subsequently bumping into the extraordinary pianist Raymond Dudley who was gracious enough to help properly introduce me to the world of the early fortepiano. A kit-built Zukermann Flemish harpsichord in 1980 and conversations with David Way sealed the deal, but with the advent of the internet, the exposure to early pianos and English square pianos really took me to a new level. I have been actively building copies, and researching and restoring the early antique pianos since 1998, making me a novice yet. Paul Polletti has stated that he did not begin to really understand the builders art until about his 15th fortepiano, and in that I concur. Once I have my 10,000 hours in, I might know something about the subject. Until then, this site works best when I hear from those of you out there who have paid your dues. For you I make available these pages, to record what we know about the technology of early pianos, and particularly those early squares!

Thomas Strange “

Visit website for more information. (ED)

Added on: May 02, 2011 | Hits: 400

"I first became interested in harpsichords in the late 70s. In 1980, I built my first instrument, a Flemish Single from Zuckermann Harpsichords Inc. I then studied with San Francisco teacher and performer Kathy Roberts Perl, who continues to be my teacher and valued adviser to this day.

I went into business in 1984 and shortly thereafter, began a professional relationship with David Way of Zuckerman Harpsichords, becoming his agent for the San Francisco Bay Area. This relationship lasted until 1992 when I left ZHI to pursue my own building from historical designs.

I have also been active with several West Coast arts organization. From 1985 to 1995, I worked with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra serving variously as stage manager, harpsichord technician, and tour manager. I also worked with Carmel Bach Festival from 1988 to 1997. And I served on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Early Music Society including Board President from 1989 to 1992. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 398

"Robert Deegan has been making harpsichords since 1969 and was previously a graphic designer. He works in a converted eighteenth century quayside warehouse in the City of Lancaster, England, with two assistants, and personally attends to each stage of the demanding process of making a hand crafted keyboard instrument. In 1977 he won a Churchill Scholarship and travelled to the USA where he studied instruments in the major collections as well as visiting other makers. Due to this opportunity and visits to European collections he has inspected, collected data on, and (where possible) played all the originals of the instruments offered here. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 05, 2008 | Hits: 398

Facteur de clavecins.

Authored book: "Les Clavecins"
Language: French
Format: Book (Illustrated), 263 pages
Publication Date: January 1990
Publisher: Unknown
ISBN-10: 2877880060

Added on: Mar 30, 2007 | Hits: 396

"Swenson's Piano Shop offers high-quality restoration of modern and historic pianos and fortepianos. Instruments restored in our workshop can be found in many places worldwide including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. (photo), the Nippon Cultural Center in Tokyo (photo 1, photo 2), and the Schubert Club museum in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Beethoven Center at San José State University is the home of a Jakesch fortepiano (photo) rebuilt in our shop. A John Osborne (c. 1792-1835) square grand piano restored in our shop can be found at the Hyde Hall Historic Site near Cooperstown, NY. In the summer of 2007, we completed for the Granger Homestead and Museum in Canandaigua, NY an usual grand piano, built in 1822 by Muzio Clementi.

We specialize in the restoration of grand pianos by Bösendorfer, Bechstein, Broadwood, Blüthner, Baldwin, Chickering, Conrad Graf, Ehrbar, Feurich, Ibach, Knabe, Pleyel, Steinway & Sons, Schweighofer, Mason & Hamlin, and Stein & Streicher. We restore, buy and sell modern and historical grand pianos, including 18th- and 19th-century Viennese fortepianos. We are happy to talk about pianos and we invite questions about sales, restoration, appraisals, conservation procedures, and long-distance moving. The prices for our work and our restored instruments are surprisingly low. Please don't hesitate to contact us if we may be of service in any way.

Piano restorer Edward Swenson graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music with a performance degree and a certificate in piano technology. After four years of study in Austria and Italy, he received a Master's degrees from the Akademie Mozarteum in Salzburg where he was awarded the Lilli Lehmann Medallion from the Internationale Stiftung Mozarteum. Completing his education in musicology at Cornell University, Swenson received a Ph.D. with a thesis on the Italian composer Antonio Salieri. Swenson is a member of the American Musical Intrument Society, American Musicological Society, The Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society, and The Piano Technicians Guild. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 26, 2008 | Hits: 396

"A comprehensive service for players and owners of harpsichords, clavichords & early pianos
• Tools, spares & accessories by mail order including the CTS-5 electronic tuner
• New harpsichords by Andrew Wooderson
• New clavichords by Edmund Handy
• Secondhand instruments for sale
• Harpsichord hire for concerts, recordings, festivals & tours
• Repairs & restorations
• Tuning & maintenance • Professional, friendly advice
• Specialist advice for educational establishments

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 395

"- New instruments and repairs to keyboard instruments including square pianos
- Maker of covered strings for clavichords and square pianos
- Tunings, maintenance and hirings in the Bath area
- Traditional soundboard painting by Sheila Barnes and Jennifer Douglas
- Harpsichord Rescue Service Guide Prices Revoicing from £100 per register. Phone 01373 831498 for a free quote
- Secondhand Harpsichords and Keyboard Instruments
- Plans and Instructions"

Added on: Apr 10, 2007 | Hits: 392

Harpsichord Maker. "The Associate in Japan of Atelier Marc Ducornet, Sole Japanese agent of The Paris Workshop". Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 392

" Early Keyboard Instruments - for more than forty years we have made early keyboard instruments based on original 18th century instruments and constructed under the direction of John Morley. Instruments are built using traditional techniques and materials including Bavarian pine soundboards, English sycamore or beech bridges and wrestplanks combined with the highest quality of craftsmanship to produce the quality and tone which ensures the continuing success of John Morley instruments. London's largest stock of classical keyboards " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 05, 2008 | Hits: 387

"... I'm Herwil van Gelder. I live in the northern village of Groningen Warfhuizen where my instrument workshop is in the former village school.
Since leaving 15 years regularly newly created harpsichord, clavichord, organ and sometimes even related instruments like the lute. Also maintenance and restoration have been important activities. On these pages I put in brief my vision of building and restoration of baroque instruments.
The instruments that I construct are regularly used in CD recordings, such as the CD's' The Complete Works of Keyboard JP Sweelinck '(label: NM Classics 92119) and the Orland Lassus / Chansons (RIC 154149). They are also often live to hear in many concert at home and abroad.
I invite you in my workshop to my own instruments to play and my practice to learn. ... " (Google and editor translation) Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 23, 2008 | Hits: 387

"Harpsichords, Clavichords, Violins, and Fortepianos by Keith Hill

Since I began building instruments, I have made more than 385 instruments for professional musicians and serious amateurs alike. Most of these harpsichords, clavichords, violins, guitars, and fortepianos continue to serve music as I intended them so to do when I made them. My chiefest aim has always been to build sounds which inspire a way of playing that deeply moves and excites listeners. This aim can be realized only by acoustical work of the highest quality. I define quality as anything which makes my instruments more like the antique instruments. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 24, 2008 | Hits: 386

"Early keyboard instruments are the focus of the R.J. Regier workshop where we: - design and build new fortepianos and harpsichords based on period samples - repair, restore and maintain old instruments - lease instruments for concerts and professional use - tune and maintain instruments for performance and recording "

Visit site for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 24, 2008 | Hits: 385

"Born 1955, harpsichord maker, restorer and scholar of keyboard instruments, I was pupil of Grant O'Brien and also studied temperaments with Mark Lindley. After an apprenticeship, in the 1980s I established my own workshop.

My experience as a restorer and organologist have given me a background that has enabled me to produce high quality instruments built according to historical principles. My works have received the approval of an international clientele. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 23, 2008 | Hits: 383

"PianoGrands is an antique piano dealer that carries an unrivaled collection of antique grand pianos and antique upright pianos renowned for their superb sound, skillful construction and refined aesthetics. The combination of the finest materials, responsive actions and old-world craftsmanship of famous makers results in a rich, rewarding sound and exhilarating playing experience.

To complement our antique grand and upright pianos, we also carry a fine line of contemporary harpsichords, clavichords, fortepianos and kits. These superb instruments are replicas of historic keyboards. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 25, 2008 | Hits: 383

“This website is posted by Michael Cole, who has a workshop in Prestbury, under the Cotswold escarpment on the northern fringe of Cheltenham.

 It is intended to give you information about the kinds of instruments that I have been making and restoring since my first reproduction instruments were made in the early 1970s.

Ten years earlier, like many others, I was inspired by Raymond Russell's excellent book The Harpsichord and Clavichord which he modestly subtitled 'a preliminary survey'. For those of us who were accustomed to 1960s harpsichords, made by commercial piano makers using modern designs and materials, the instruments shown in Russell's photographic plates were utterly beguiling. A few years later came Frank Hubbard's Three Centuries of Harpsichord Making, which was very strong on accurate historical source material, supplemented by some excellent technical drawings made by Hubbard's father. ..“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: May 14, 2009 | Hits: 380

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Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 379