Hemsch

Double Manual Harpsichord
after
Henri Hemsch 1751

Description

Henri Hemsch 1751

The original of this instrument is close at hand here in SW France. It is one of five surviving inharpsichords by Henri Hemsch, one of the great French builders. By great fortune I have had the opportunity to inspect and measure every single detail of this instrument. This has allowed me to note many refinements which do not emerge from museum drawings. The mature and rich sound of this harpsichord is exceptional and fabulous. Listen to the recordings by Frederick Haas on Calliope Rameau: CAL 9278, Bach: CAL 9277 and D'Anglebert: CAL 9878

Specifications:

Compass

Dimensions

Disposition

Construction

Soundboard

Keyboards

Action

Decoration

Stand

Music desk

FF - e3 original compass. This can be extended by one note to make a full five octaves if required.

Length 238 cm Width 88.5 cm Height 28 cm

2 x 8' 1 x 4' Buff
Shove coupler.

Limewood casework and structural members
Quartersawn oak wrestplank

Swiss pine (picea abies)
Bridges : beech
Gilded rose.

Limewood with pearwood rack.
Natural touchplates: ebony, boxwood arcades
Accidentals: pearwood with bone covers and gilded fronts.

Pearwood jacks with holly tongues and wild boar bristle springs. Registers; leather covered limewood

Painted casework to client's specification.

Cabriole legs painted and carved to client's specification.

To match instrument