Piano Tales: History of the early piano #2: Shudi & Broadwood Harpsichord 1775: Haydn and CPE Bach

Summary

This video explores the evolution and intricacies of harpsichords, focusing on a specific 1775 instrument by the renowned maker, Shuti. It discusses the shift in musical tastes from the harpsichord to the fortepiano, highlighting key features of the harpsichord, such as its multiple registers, dynamic expression, and Venetian swell. The video also touches on notable historical figures like Haydn, Mozart, and Frederick the Great, who owned similar instruments. The instrument's rich history and unique qualities are presented, alongside a personal story of the harpsichord's journey through the centuries.

Takeaways

• 😀 The harpsichord was a popular and beautiful keyboard instrument from the 16th to 18th centuries, particularly until the 1790s.
• 😀 By 1780, the harpsichord was beginning to lose popularity to the emerging forte-piano, which offered more dynamic expression.
• 😀 A letter from Broadwood in 1803 suggests that the harpsichord was no longer in demand, with clients preferring pianos instead.
• 😀 The harpsichord from 1744 featured one keyboard and two registers, offering limited dynamic control compared to later models.
• 😀 The 1775 harpsichord model introduced by Schuetti had four registers, enabling a wider range of sound possibilities and more expressive control.
• 😀 Harpsichords like the 1775 Schuetti model were unique for their ability to change sound dynamically during play, using pedals instead of manual adjustments.
• 😀 The 1775 Schuetti harpsichord had a Venetian swell, an innovation allowing the instrument to be closed or opened to adjust sound intensity while playing.
• 😀 Many composers, including Haydn, Mozart, and Frederick the Great, owned or played on Schuetti harpsichords, with some famous historical figures, like Gainsborough, also owning one.
• 😀 Despite being expensive, Schuetti harpsichords were prized by European elites, with very few surviving today—only around 50 known to exist.
• 😀 The 1775 Schuetti harpsichord in question was originally owned by Lady Stefferdill, with a known provenance tracing it back to its delivery in August 1775.
• 😀 The harpsichord was later owned by famous harpsichordist George Malcolm, then purchased by Laney Van Maanen in 1958. The instrument remained in excellent condition until 2018, though its original leather cover was tragically destroyed in a fire.

Q & A

What was the role of harpsichords in the 16th to 18th centuries?

Harpsichords were the most popular and beautiful keyboard instruments during the 16th to 18th centuries. They remained prominent even up until the late 18th century, serving as a key instrument in both private and public musical performances.

How did the harpsichord evolve from 1744 to 1775?

By 1775, harpsichords had evolved significantly. The traditional 1744 harpsichord, with one keyboard and two registers, was replaced by instruments with more advanced features, such as four registers and the ability to switch between different sound characteristics, offering a wider range of expressiveness.

Why did the demand for harpsichords decline in the late 18th century?

The decline in demand was due to changing musical tastes and the rise of the forte-piano, an instrument that could express a broader range of dynamics and emotions, which was more in line with the desires of musicians and composers at the time.

What is the significance of the 1803 letter from Broadwood regarding harpsichords?

The letter from Broadwood in 1803 reflects the shift in public preference towards pianos, as it mentions that the company could not accept trade-ins of harpsichords because there was no demand for them anymore, signaling the decline in their popularity.

What features made the 1775 harpsichord special?

The 1775 harpsichord featured four registers, which allowed for a richer and more varied sound by having multiple strings struck simultaneously. It also included a Venetian swell, a pedal-operated mechanism that could alter the instrument's volume and tone, giving it greater expressive potential.

How did the mechanism of the Venetian swell work?

The Venetian swell allowed the entire harpsichord to be closed, hiding the strings. This mechanism could be opened while playing, altering the sound dynamics, thus offering more control over volume and tone in a way that was not possible with traditional harpsichords.

What is the connection between Haydn and the harpsichord from 1775?

Haydn owned a harpsichord made in 1775, the same year as the one in the video. He used this instrument in Vienna, and it was well-suited to the music he was composing during that period, which often called for nuanced dynamics and expressive sound.

What were some notable historical figures who owned similar harpsichords?

Historical figures such as Frederick the Great, who owned three of these harpsichords, and Maria Theresa of Austria, who owned one, were among the notable people who appreciated and used these instruments. Even Mozart is believed to have played on one at the Hofburg Palace in Vienna.

What happened to the original leather cover of the 1775 harpsichord?

The original leather cover, which was made in 1775 and wool-lined, was unfortunately destroyed in a fire. The cover was given to a restorer by the previous owner, but it was burned in the incident, which is considered a great loss given its rarity and historical value.

How did the invention of the square piano influence the harpsichord's decline?

The invention of the square piano around 1765, which allowed for more dynamic expression (loud and soft playing), greatly influenced the decline of the harpsichord. The square piano's ability to produce variations in volume gave it an edge over the static dynamics of the harpsichord, leading to its increasing popularity.