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P.O. Box 1163
Lemont, PA 16851
(814) 883-7799
damaple@comcast.net
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The Instruments

Italian Harpsichords


Please click on images below for enlarged versions.


Harpsichord after Girolamo Zenti, ca. 1666

Harpsichord after Zenti
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This long, graceful instrument after an example in the Metropolitan Museum of Art has the expanded bass compass down to GG that began to appear in some Italian instruments during the latter part of the 17th century. It has a big, robust sound with the characteristic crispness and clarity of the Italian style, but with enough sustaining power to make it useful for a surprisingly wide range of music. It is an excellent instrument for both solo and continuo work. A separate outer case in the historical style is available as an option.

spacer Harpsichord after Zenti, false inner case style
Alternatively, the instrument can be made in the false-inner-case style, which offers the best combination of protection and weight if it is to be moved frequently.

Specification:

GG-d3, 8' 8'. Inner case of cypress or maple. 236 x 89 cm (93 x 35 in).

Additional images:

Soundboard rose
Keyboard detail, false inner case style


The false-inner-case instrument pictured above can be seen and heard in performances by Sandra Mangsen of two pieces by Thomas Tomkins, available on YouTube.com.


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Harpsichord after Giacomo Ridolfi, 1665

Harpsichord after Ridolfi
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I also offer a short-octave model based on an example by Ridolfi, which is easily tranported and ideal for continuo use. Ridolfi claimed to be a student of Zenti, so it is not suprising that the two instruments are similar in some respects. The Ridolfi has a similar robust quality, but the smaller case affects the bass resonance, yielding a tighter, more direct sound. Its molding scheme is also simpler compared to the Zenti, and there is no rose, allowing a lower price. The keyboard of the instrument in the photo was designed with crossing levers in the bass, which allows the keyboard to be moved for pitch transposition without the usual re-tuning problems caused by the short octave design. Available with the traditional separate inner and outer cases, or in the false-inner-case style.

Specification:

C/E-c3, 8' 8' (45 notes). Case of cypress or maple. 195 x 82 cm (77 x 32 in).


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