EarlyMusicNews.org

" 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 04, 2008 | Hits: 727

"Andrew Lagerquist has been involved in the world of early keyboards since 1973, when he began working in the shop of Frank Hubbard. He later worked in the shops of William Dowd and John Phillips. Since 1990 he has been on his own pursuing instrument building, instrument repair, and concert tuning in the San Francisco area.

His great passion has become the Swedish style of clavichord making, of which he offers and has built several designs. His large clavichords after Lindholm-Söderström were prominently featured at the 2001 Boston Early Music Festival. His clavichords have been performed on in concert by Richard Troeger, Richard Fuller, Mikko Korhonen, and Pekka Vapaavuori.

His instruments are made to order in a small workshop by himself. All are based on historical examples, most of which have been personally examined. Though emphasizing Swedish clavichords, other instruments will be considered, and in fact he is currently building an early un-fretted example from the Saxon school. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 724

Marc Ducornet & Emmanuel Danset have developed an extensive range of instruments suitable for amateur to professional builders. Each instrument is offered in several versions, according to how much work you would like to do yourself. Every model is pictured in our Gallery, from where there are links to the detailed specification pages. o­n our site you can also find information about orders & deliveries, and spare parts & accessories ...

Added on: Jul 04, 2005 | Hits: 718

"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: 715

"... 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: 714

"Yves Albert Feder Harpsichords is pleased to announce our association with THE PARIS WORKSHOP and the ATELIER MARC DUCORNET of Montreuil (Paris) France. TPW supplies harpsichord kits of extraordinary finish and quality backed by years of experience working with kit builders, and I personally have supplied a great many kits to amateur - and professional - builders, since 1976.

Having also built a variety of custom historical keyboard instruments, I'm very pleased indeed to be working with Marc Ducornet in helping to establish more of his extraordinary custom harpsichords in the USA.

The prices are amazingly reasonable for instruments coming into the US from overseas - and the quality is truly second to none. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 713

Anthony R. Brazier and Wm Neil Roberts -- "We have been building harpsichords and other early keyboard instruments professionally since 1976 during which time we have built over 117 instruments and repaired or restored countless dozens of other instruments owned by private individuals, colleges, schools and churches.

As Associates of the The Paris Workshop of Early Keyboard Instruments, we offer the same line of instruments that are available there. Their parts are pulled from the shelves and shipped to us for assembly, decoration and final action work. As professional performers ourselves, we have always taken great care to complete an instrument that satisfies the professional musician and the discriminating amateur. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 713

“… In recent years, I have been increasingly busy as a harpsichord technician, tuning and maintaining instruments for institutions and private clients alike.  My expertise in instrument care led me to construct my own Italian-style harpsichord based on a museum drawing, an ambitious project that I successfully concluded in November 2009. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Oct 18, 2011 | Hits: 713

“Kenneth Tickell & Company are a small firm of craftsman Pipe Organ Builders. We build new organs to individual contract, ranging in size from portable continuo organs to large church and recital instruments. From time to time we also undertake historic restoration work.

Kenneth Tickell established his first workshop in 1982, moving to larger premises in 1986. Ten years later the business moved again, to large modern premises at Rothersthorpe Crescent which have excellent facilities for building and restoring organs of all sizes. We currently have a full time staff of nine craftsmen organbuilders, and a number of part time associates. …”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Sep 09, 2011 | Hits: 709

"I have been a professional builder and restorer of harpsichords, fortepianos and harps since 1978, and since then my instruments have found homes in the USA, Canada and Australia as well as more locally in this country. Much of my work is producing copies of some of the fine antique instruments that have survived the years of neglect since the end of the Baroque era. I also enjoy the challenge of designing an instrument to a certain specification and historical models will almost certainly influence this.

A finished instrument may use up to twelve types of wood and the same number of animal products. Holly, pear, ebony, boxwood, lime and spruce are all chosen for their particular qualities, while raven and crow-quills, buffalo hide, hog's bristles, play their part too.

I build every part of the instrument myself including the case with it's inlay and marquetry, the keyboards and action which are made up of several hundred parts and the final stringing, tuning and setting up. From start to finish an instrument takes many months to complete. From the first careful selection of the timber every consideration is aimed to produce a reliable and beautifully toned instrument that could become the heirloom of the future. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 702

"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: 696

"I build and repair historic keyboard instruments as well as tune and service modern pianos in San Diegos North County. My current offerings include Harpsichords, Clavichords and Fortepianos."

"My philosophy is simple. I endeavor to make the best instruments both tonally and constructionally as I know how for the most reasonable price to the customer. I am well aware that there are many people who would love to own a handcrafted instrument but the price is just out of their reach. It is my belief that a well-made clavichord, harpsichord, or fortepiano should be affordable to almost anyone who truly wants one."

Added on: Apr 09, 2007 | Hits: 694

"Former maker of Franco-Flemish and Italian harpsichords and English virginals. ... MAINTENANCE SERVICE AVAILABLE — Europe & beyond. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 693

"I first established myself as a harpsichord maker in 1980 (in Western Canada) and began making Harpsichords, Virginals, Spinets and Clavichords. In the late 1980’s I added Viennese Forte-Pianos to my repertoire. I also undertake restorations, renovations and repairs of early stringed keyboard instruments. Since moving to North Yorkshire my work has focused almost exclusively on restoration of early pianos, mostly Viennese Forte-Pianos.

I am a former academic (BA, MA - Alta, Can.: PhD -- London) and I have an early background in cabinet making and carpentry (my father was a cabinet maker). I studied early stringed keyboard instrument construction and design at the London College of Furniture (1977-80) and spent a further year (1984-85) as a Canada Council Fellow researching and drawing original instruments in Britain and on the continent.

All the instruments that I build are individually hand crafted, built along traditional lines and made from traditional woods and they are all based on historical models. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Mar 03, 2008 | Hits: 681

"Since 1981, I have been making Italian harpsichords and clavichords in San Francisco, my native city. In recent years, I have been making small organs as well. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 678

"Our company, founded in 1975, has specialized from the very beginning in the production and restoration of historical musical instruments. After many years of rich experiences and considerable investments in structure, R&D and market surveys, BIZZI has developped a new idea that in the last few years has placed the company in a significant position among the most qualified manufacturers of historical keyboard instruments.

Some prestigious initiatives, carried out in the years 70s and 80s, like the restoration of the Collections of the Museo del Teatro alla Scala in Milan and the Museo Correr in Venice, as well as the foundation of the Scuola di Liuteria of Milan, have allowed Bizzi to acquire the indispensable know-how and background for the launch a new project which would have required about ten years before being completed.

The goal was the establishment of a new company based on the same manufacturing principles of the greatest harpsichord makers of the past, and particularly the Ruckers dinasty, which is a unique example of high quality combined with great efficiency and incredible productivity. " Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 678

"In the heart of London, The Harpsichord Workshop provides a complete service for the harpsichord player, offering a range of instruments to suit specific requirements, and working with the world's leading players.

We Hire and Tune instruments for concerts, recordings and rehearsals, as well as providing long-term hire for such purposes as opera seasons and tours.

We can also loan instruments for use in the home, for practice or while awaiting delivery of a new instrument. Our collection includes fine harpsichords by makes such as Michael Johnson, Bruce Kennedy and Andrew Garlick, including double-manual French, German and Flemish instruments; single manual Italian harpsichords; and Flemish and Italian virginals.

At the Harpsichord Workshop we can provide a Full Repair Service from general regulation to major restoration.

We can Advise on the Purchase of new instruments from a variety of makers, and sometimes have second hand ones available for immediate sale. "

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Tags: Mark Ransom

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 677

“Mario Del Grosso began his activity as an instrument builder in 1980, subsequently attending courses by Grant O’Brian in 1982 / 83 and  Christopher Clarke in Antwerp.  He brought his attention  especially  towards  the construction of spinets, virginals, and  Italian,  Flemish and French harpsichords. In  1987   he  completed  the integral  construction  of  a  copy  of  a fortepiano by A. Walter conserved at the Nurnberg Museum,  first in Italy. He has combined his work as a  builder with  restoration work  performed  on harpsichords and fortepianos of historical prestige held in private collections and museums. While on tour in Austria, Hungary, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, the United States and Canada, M. Del Grosso has been fortunate enough to carefully  study prestigious  instruments  kept in their respective museums, analysing  various  construction methods and details and exchanging  facts  and viewpoints in numerous  encounters  with  European  and  American instrument makers. Mario Del Grosso has given  summer specialisation courses on the construction and restoration of  harpsichords, and conferences on keyboard instruments, taking  part in numerous  festivals and  expositions, such as Stresa, Cervo, Pieve di Teco, Urbino, Antwerp, Moneglia and Perugia. He also plays harpsichord  and fortepiano as solo,  in  various  ensemble  of  early music ensemble and with singers, in  numerous concerts in Italy and other country making TV recordings and compact disks. He started his study at the Conservatory of Genoa graduating in Piano and Harpsichord, finishing his preparation with David Collyer, Aline Zilberajch and Gustav Leonhardt.“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Jul 05, 2009 | Hits: 674

The workshop of William Horn is located near Brescia (a city with a long tradition in the art of musical instruments making), in the fifteenth century historical Palazzo Maggi-Trebeschi.

Himself a musician and performer, William Horn has been able to combine his interest in musical performance with the organological study, and the construction of the keyboard instruments for early music.

Added on: Apr 09, 2007 | Hits: 672

"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: 670

“Martine ARGELLIES has been a harpsichord maker since 1981. An enthralling, wide-ranging trade encompassing woodwork, acoustics, history and decoration, it is to teach the wood and iron how to sing and to do so, we must learn from the past how these sounds were born. Adding to the pure electrolytic iron of our century all the impurities spewed out by the blast furnaces we obtain the soft iron of the harpsichord strings. We train the ear and the scalpel towards the plectra ready to pluck the strings.

Many musicians, from the beginner to the professional, have already chosen these instruments. Three of them equip the Bastille opera in Paris. (200 harpsichords completed). ..”

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 08, 2010 | Hits: 665

"Carl and Marilee Dudash design, build, and decorate harpsichords and clavichords in the styles of the 16th, 17th, and 18th Centuries in their workshop in the northwest hills of Connecticut. Their instruments have been sent to customers across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Carl's designs are firmly based on historic principles, but they incorporate changes to improve structural integrity and modifications to customize the instrument to suit the client's wishes. Marilee is an accomplished artist who has studied the decoration of antique instruments in the finest museum collections in Europe and the United States. Her work includes traditional soundboard paintings, landscape paintings for lids and cases, faux marbre, chinoiserie, and gold leaf or bronze powder case designs. " See website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Feb 24, 2008 | Hits: 664

"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: 664

More About The Maker My first encounter with the harpsichord occurred when I was 16. Landowska playing a Handel suite was like hitting me over the head with a brick! The result was my going to London at my first opportunity to the Victoria and Albert museum to look at a harpsichord. I received permission to measure both the harpsichord and a clavichord. I concluded that although a harpsichord was beyond me, a clavichord was not. So I went home and made one! From that point on, until I sold my first harpsichord in Guernsey in 1965, I spent all my spare time haunting the established English makers; Goble, Feldberg, Dolmetsch, Thomas Goff, Hugh Gough, and above all, Michael Thomas, from whom I learned the secrets of a good soundboard. Luckily for me I was a natural when came to woodworking, and in no time at all I could cut dovetails by hand that fit perfectly! I moved to Claremont, Virginia in 1973 with Katie my wife, and since that time, we have made more than 50 instruments together, whilst raising a couple of kids, my total now being more than 70 instruments since I began. For some years I was the Musical Instrument Conservator to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, leaving in 1988 to pursue making my own instruments full time. During that time I had the privilege of working with many antique instruments, including a magnificent 1762 Jacob Kirckman double manual harpsichord. ...

Added on: Jun 22, 2005 | Hits: 663

“The building of keyboard instruments began over 300 years ago. The development started with the organ and the Harpsichord, continued through the pianoforte, and reached its high point with what today is known as the modern grand piano - which remains until now virtually unchanged. (The Golden Years of grand piano construction were between 1825 and 1925).

Grand pianos belong as much to the appreciation of art as the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Rubens, or an authentically restored historical building, all of which have both high artistic and material value. Recognizing this has given me the exciting idea to create a renaissance of antique instruments for the pleasure of both art and music lovers.
An antique grand piano, more or less 100 years old, presents a unique form of aesthetics, both in music and appearance as well as an instrument and as the focal point of a home. When one considers how many famous pianists or passionate piano players have already played on one or another of these grands (and how many are yet to play upon them), it is imperative to save these magnificent instruments from decay and to give pianists and their entire surroundings the joyous gift these pianos can offer.

With this conviction in mind, Palace Pianos has for the sale exclusively of grands that have been found mostly in their original magical conditions, maintaining their original tone quality. Every year more than 50 pianos are sold world wide and we feel it is our duty to follow the 19th-Century motto: Build good instruments and you will never have to worry about selling them. ..“

Visit website for more information. (ed.)

Added on: Dec 06, 2009 | Hits: 663