Harpsichord - a historical reference

     Already in the 14th century there were attempts to attach keyboard mechanism to the cymbals. Yet the harpsichord itself appeared much later - at the begining of the 16th century. Nowadays it is classified as a key-string plucked instrument. Various reeds were tested for striking the string - and the preference was given to... the shank of a crow's feather. Thanks to the bird's feather in particular, we get such a strong and expressive sound. Harpsichords were very fine and expensive. They were of various shapes - from a box, enchased with gilding, nacre and ivory, to a lyre or a harp on the legs, plus, certainly, the keyboard. But the main thing that the piano has borrowed from the harpsichord is its form, which was originated from the strained strings of different length inside it. Harpsichord was a permanent adornment in the halls of aristocracy's and grandees' residences. It was called differently: in England - harpsichord or virginal, in Italy - cembalo, in France - spinette or clavecin. Lots of beautiful musical pieces were written for harpsichord, but that hasn't helped it - at the end of the 18th century piano has begun to force it out. Nowadays only pieces, written especially for harpsichord, are played on it - and that's, of course, is right.

Based upon the article of I.U.Kubersky, ©1998
© 2003 Vladimir Grudin