artful instrument

Scott Ross (1951-1989). Sonata D Minor, K1.

Scarlatti (1685-1757), Neapolitan Baroque composer who drew most inspiration from Iberian Peninsula.

 

Jan Vermeer (1632-1675).

A Lady Standing at a Virginal...Seated.

 

Attached: Mechanics of Harpsichord.

 

...I think it would be nice to make instrument after retirement. :)

 

 A big Fan

 
 
From Harpsichord to Piano
 
The modern piano is a marvel of acoustical and engineering design. The modern piano in its various configurations from upright to full grand, however is a fairly recent invention with its roots dating back over seven hundred years to the invention the piano's distant relative, the harpsichord. In 1397 a gentleman named Hermann Poll invented an instrument made up of many tensioned strings, each stretched to a specific pitch. By pressing the keys on the instrument a small quill was thrown upward, plucking the string much the way a violinist can pluck a string with his finger. The sound and tone of the instrument lent itself well to the composers of the time period with some composers, such as Rameau and Scarlatti, relying on it heavily.
 
The harpsichord evolved into several similar instruments created by changing the orientation of the strings and the shape of the resonating chamber. The original harpsichord looks much like the baby grand pianos of today, albeit much more angular and of lighter construction. In later centuries the harpsichord was altered into a much smaller version called the spinet which was easily portable and able to fit on a normal sized table. The spinet was made more compact by altering the orientation of the strings so that instead of running parallel to the keyboard (as in the piano and harpsichord) instead the strings ran at an angle to the keys allowing the entire instrument to fit into this smaller triangular shaped spinet package.
 
The spinet evolved into an even more compact and portable form in an instrument called the virginal. In the virginal the strings run perpendicular to the keys and are housed in a blocky rectangular case. In both the spinet and the virginal very elaborate cases were the norm with artistic paintings and carvings adorning the covers. Another evolution of the harpsichord is known as the clavichord. Designed much the same was as the virginal with rectangular cases the clavichord used a different mechanism for creating sound from the strings Instead of the harpsichord's plucking mechanism a brass plate was pressed against the string creating a less staccato and more delicate tone.
 
The harpsichord, virginal, spinet, and clavichord are all related to each other in many ways. Although they each differ in size, shape, and mechanical engineering, each iteration of the harpsichord helped pave the way for the invention of the modern piano in the early 1700's.

 

- Chad Criswell