The Waldorf Harpsichord

The ‘Waldorf Harpsichord’ is constructed from a kit manufactured by the Hubbard Harpsichord Company in Boston, Massachusetts. The instrument was purchased as a kit in the late 1970’s. I completed cabinet work in the mid-1980’s. For a number of reasons the instrument sat uncompleted on the Waldorf campus. In 2001 a grant was received from a former Waldorf College Regent and the instrument was shipped to the Harpsichord Clearing House in Rehoboth, Massachusetts. The instrument was painted, decorated, strung and the action completed bringing the project to completion.

The instrument has two choirs of strings which speak at 8’ pitch, one choir of strings which speak an octave higher at 4’ pitch, and a lute of buff stop. The instrument is painted with four coats of hand-rubbed New England Red and Ivory pigments. Banding and edges are in 24K gold leaf and the soundboard is lavishly decorated in authentic 17 century style and features the Waldorf College motto, ‘Lux et Veritas’ on the jackrail. It is a joy to concretize and record on this fine instrument.

To book a concert on the harpsichord click here.”

The harpsichord was the keyboard instrument of choice for the ‘home’ or court from the 16th through the 18th centuries. Differences in sound are made not by finger pressure but by changing manuals/registration. The strings are plucked rather than struck which gives immediacy to the sound. The instruments are constructed entirely by hand. Families of builders were centered in the countries of France, Italy, the Netherlands and later Germany.

 

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