Historical Keyboards

Albrecht Square Piano, Philadelphia

2009-01-27T15:59:00.007-05:00

"The person who first casts his eye on this may know
that this piano was made in the year 1813 about the
time Bonaparte was defeated by the Russians." Charles Deal

There are always moments of discovery in our work...either those of self, or from the historical artifact in our hands. In restoring a beautiful square piano for a client in Philadelphia, we removed some loose moulding to discover the above note inside the case structure. We've made the panel removable to allow for future viewing. Albrecht is seen as one of the earliest piano makers in America. Existing instruments at the MET and the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

Post Ross & Middleton

2008-10-07T14:09:00.003-04:00

Day to day rebuilding of a very interesting Flemish double (lower manual moves to couple) by William Post Ross (left), and also an early Hubbard design by Middleton, both from the '70's.

Blanchet by Jensen

2008-08-26T13:27:00.002-04:00

David Jensen has created a very distinctive double after Blanchet. Particularly effective in walnut, the action needed a thorough overhaul (JR Bennett, there) to bring out the full potential of the instrument. Few instruments come to our shop, that can't be improved on, even when well thought out. This instrument has improved greatly with careful attention to action work and voicing, and replacement of false beating strings.

2008-08-21T15:23:00.001-04:00

2008-08-21T15:20:00.001-04:00

... Zuckermann Italian virginal redone here at HCH. We've done major soundboard repair, replaced the left hitchpin rail (a very common failing in these), and restrung, using existing jacks. I favor using as much of existing material as possible. Full case painting and banding and marbled stand.

Second try...

2008-08-19T20:32:00.006-04:00

Having had sufficient time to think this thru...it seems the right time to proceed with an annotated photo journal of the HCH shop and staff...and the day-to-day work of the Clearing House.

As I write this, Dale Munschy, newest of our staff is delivering our rebuild of a fabulous Dowd to the Houston Symphony Orchestra. One the same trip, he will drop off a rebuild of an Italian virginal (also in Houston...photo above), and then pick up two of the wonderful doubles (Stehlin & Vaudry) of Paul Kennedy for exhibit and sale here in Rehoboth.

2007-09-26T23:08:00.000-04:00

The work of Yves Beaupre, Montreal, after Vaudry

2007-09-26T22:44:00.001-04:00

Wednedsay, 26 September

So much of our art and craft moves from our workshop right into the early music world without time to reflect, rejoice or simply honor the skills employed in our work. Thought we might give this a try as a photo journal of the work in progress that passes thru this shop.

If you find it useful, or have some thoughts, take a moment to let us know.

Let's see what we can make of it.

Glenn Giuttari