a dialogue with history
Early Keyboard instruments
1990
Pedal Clavichord
Two-manual pedal clavichord after J.D. Gerstenberg, 1760, The lower manual sounds much like an organ flute stop, and the upper rather like a nazard. Two 8' choirs in the manual instruments, 2x8' and 2x16' in the bass instrument. The gallery includes a photo of the original instrument from the Leipzig catalog, by Hubert Henkel.
pedal clavichord
2023
Another interpretation of the Gerstenberg pedal clavichord. This one in white oak with traditional barley-twist legs, and trackers instead of pull-downs.
Making the 2023 pedal clavichord
demo
Harpsichords Gallery
A few of my harpsichords including opus 1, 1983, and a 1988 photo of four of my harpsichords for a performance of the Bach concerto for four harpsichords, one of which I played in the concert.
fretted clavichord
After an anonymous, 17th-century German clavichord. It is fretted in pairs, meaning that certain non-diatonic half-steps such as d#-e, f-f# strike the same pairs of strings. It also has divided sharps in the short octave, D/F# and E/G#. Carved "Druckleiste" and tool box cover.
ITALIAN HARPSICHORD
Based on the 1610 Pratensis harpsichord at Vassar College, 1x8 with two rows of jacks, a "principale" and a "nazard" register, this short octave, false inner/outer instrument has an extended range to f''' with divided sharps throughout, pitched at A=465 strung in iron with mildly contemporary appointments and an original lid painting. Rosette is a copy of the Pratensis by Mateo Cremades.
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(NB: The Pratensis harpsichord's range is C/E to c''' without divided sharps, scaled for brass stringing at ca. A=415hz)
