Harpsichord
The harpsichord is a musical instrument belonging to the genus of electro-mechanical instruments. Its inventor was the German musician Ernst Zacharias . He is also the inventor of the Pianet and Clavinet . From 1958 the harpsichord was built by the Hohner company. The sound is produced by metal tongues torn with a pick. Electromagnetic pickups transmit the sound to a built-in preamplifier.
The harpsichord (the name comes from the sound-like harpsichord ) enabled the cost-effective performance of music that a harpsichord required. It did not take hold for long because electronic musical instruments soon appeared on the market that were able to imitate other musical instruments even cheaper. However, all of these electro-mechanical musical instruments have a warm sound that is rich in overtones, so it is not surprising that they are still played in concerts today.
The harpsichord was made in different versions:
- Harpsichord & Harpsichord I
- Cembalet II console model
- Harpsichord C & CH
- Harpsichord LH
- Harpsichord N
A loudspeaker / amplifier unit called "Underbelly" was available as an option for the harpsichord N and could be mounted on the instrument base.
While the lifters on the early pianet disintegrate due to age, the cembalet's cutters turn into a greasy paste due to chemical reactions and make the instrument unplayable. New scribers have recently been made in the United States. The restoration of a harpsichord into a fully operational instrument is much more time-consuming than with the Pianet or Clavinet, despite the fewer components.
The harpsichord was used in the " Zäller Wiehnacht " by the composer Paul Burkhard .
Compositions (selection)
- Walter Girnatis : Sonatina for Chromonica and harpsichord (piano) .