EarlyMusicNews.org

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

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 1729

Patrick Lesurtel, Harpsichord Maker. See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 911

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

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 1269

Since 1975, Laurent Soumagnac builder and restorer of harpsichords, passionate for his craft. This passion for "l'art du geste" leads to national award in 2004 "Restoration et Conservation" of the Société d'Encouragement aux Métiers d'Arts.

Laurent Soumagnac met in 1971, Hubert Bedard, Conservator of the useum Instrumental de Paris. Decisive encounter: he decided his choice of career. Hubert Bedard became his "maître" and give him a love of learning.

Under the name “L’Atelier du Clavecin”, Laurent Soumagnac creates year after year, his own models: épinette française, clavecin italien, clavecin flamand et français, with one or two keyboard configuration.

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 1303

"The Atelier von Nagel was founded in 1963 by Reinhard von Nagel as a cabinetmaking shop in Paris' Latin Quarter.

Since 1970, Reinhard von Nagel and his fellow artisans have concentrated on the construction of musical instruments, and particularly the recreation of historic harpsichords. In 1970, the Atelier moved to the site of the former Madeleine de Traisnel Priory on the Faubourg Saint Antoine in Paris. ... " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 1105

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Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 1139

Yves Crétinon, Harpsichord Maker. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 10, 2008 | Hits: 1125

"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: 1038

"1969 graduated from Trinity College of Music, London

1969-72 taught music full-time.

1972-74 worked with John Feldberg, harpsichord makers, GB.

1975 set up a workshop at Mayfield, Sussex, and undertook harpsichord maintenance.

1976 began studies of historical wires, with the metallurgist Derek Slater.

1977 began producing harpsichords based o­n the Henri Hemsch in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. "

Visit website for more information. Also sells harspchord/fortepiano wire. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 24, 2008 | Hits: 1060

" ... 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: 1520

"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: 1693

"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: 1060

"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: 1176

"Webside greetings! As you can see I've been building keyboard instruments based on original historical instruments for almost thirty years. I try to determine the type of music my client will play, and present to them optional solutions. A few of my recent clients have specialized in music of the renaissance which requires smaller, more colorful instruments. Although I've built the following double manual harpsichords: Dulcken #1 lives in Toronto. Dulcken #2 lives in Austria. My two manual Zell lives here in Seattle and has been recorded and my two manual Bellot also lives here.

If I build more doubles they will be like my copy of the 1667 anon. French in the Boston museum. I also very much like the Tibaut and the Denis doubles. There are far too many makers who turn out the 18th century Blanchet, Hemsh, and Dulckens for me to complete with and I personally like building small practical instruments that most people can afford.

I am passionate over small extrovert Italian instruments which are easy to maintain and move about. I feel strongly that the true musician should seriously explore the Clavichord since it is so challenging to play well. I love turning wonderful woods into lasting objects of beauty. My home workshop is a fascinating must see for anyone visiting the Seattle area. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 06, 2008 | Hits: 1177

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

Added on: Apr 06, 2008 | Hits: 1615

"Occasionally my clients or others would like to take a peek in the workshop to see what is going on, but they are not always able, due to time or distance, to see how their instrument is progressing.

There are also links to workshop pictures of recently completed work, as well as pictures of the completed instruments. " View website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 06, 2008 | Hits: 1191

"Tony Chinnery builds and restores harpsichords and other keyboard instruments. The site contains descriptions of some of the instruments he has built and restored, harpsichords, spinets, chamber organ, with photos and sound examples as well as information on the Cristofori piano built by Kerstin Schwarz, and a harpsichord buyers guide. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 13, 2008 | Hits: 1209

"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: 1875

"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: 1189

"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: 997

"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: 993

"Born in 1959, I began studying piano at the age of 11. I devoted myself to the study of composition too, but soon I took an interest in organ and in 1985 I graduated at the Conservatory of my city, Palermo. I pursued my studies in l'Aquila under M° Giorgio Carnini's guidance and then at Musikhochschule in Munich with Klemens Schnorr. At the same time I passionately devoted myself to the organological study of the keyboard instruments attending summer courses and prestigious workshops. I formed my workshop which rapidly has imposed itself as the only reality in this field in Central and Southern Italy. The extraordinary quality of the instruments, defined with a meticulous care for the details, has received great recognitions by all the performers who use them for concerts and recordings. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Apr 27, 2008 | Hits: 1197

"From muskies to marlin now anyone can make their own single strand haywire twist leaders stronger than the pros. Our E/Z Twist is available in three sizes and comes complete with easy to follow instructions. For 3-8 gauge wire (.012 - .020 dia. wire) or 32- 86 pound test. " Can also be used to make the helix loops on harpsichords (at the hitch pin). There is a video that accompanies the item on the site's catalog. Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jun 30, 2008 | Hits: 1153

" 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: 1172

"My musical and cultural interests and the collaboration with friends who are musicians have lead me at firs to manufacture Celtic harps, afterwards to be interested and gradually to develop a passion for ancient instruments, in particular harpsichords and spinets. Thus I have started my activity as an harpsichords maker, supported by study, professional education and an intense cultural and technical research, pursued also as a self-taught person, among the collections of ancient musical instruments of European museums. In 1991 I used my expertise as professor of restoration of ancient keyboard instruments in the classes for training specialists of restoration at the Piano Academy of Imola. The teaching experience was enriching and rewarding from both the professional and the human points of view but I gave up additional assignments to devote all my time to manufacturing and research..

From 1988 to 1994 my instruments were sold by “Il Laboratorio Musica ed Antichi Strumenti” of Milan, an organization that in those years was active in the music field (exhibitions of ancient musical instruments, restoration, classes, concerts…).

From 1995 I have looked after the sales personally and with satisfaction. This allow me to have a direct relationship with my clients, so as to comply with their specific requests and to give them a continual attention aimed at their particular technical needs.

Along the years I have verified, with professional proud, that my clients recognized the patient and skillful care of the working process, the worthiness reached through experience and scrupulous work, the very good quality-price ratio.

In this way collaborations that are going on since years were born and often they have became friendships founded on reciprocal esteem and the direct and clear understanding that is established between people that work with passion and dedication.

Some of my instruments have been played for CD recordings. Especially Master Marco Vincenzi has recorded the “Opera Omnia” of Bernardo Storace with an Italian instrument of mine, copy or “Grimaldi 1697”. ... " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 06, 2008 | Hits: 1219