Lautenwerck...

[giovannimusica]

A while back, a fellow named Kim Heindl recorded music of JSBach on a Lautenwerck. Since it is gut-strung and dynamically variable depending on how hard you strike the keys, you get a sound not unlike a choir of lutes. I have found the sound quite satisfying when playing wohltemperiertes clavier and other works by JSBach. A friend of mine has one and I love it. I have a notion that one could get a Lautenwerck with a pedal section - sorta like a pedal harpsichord. Any comments?

Giovanni

 

[Thomas Dressler]

That's a very good question. . .Do you know who Willard Martin is? (Famous, excellent harpsichord builder) He's a good friend of mine, and I know he has a Lautenwerk, but I've never seen or played it. I'm going to have to try it out and I'll ask him what about making a pedal Lautenwerk. I believe there's evidence that JS Bach himself and people in his circle preferred to practice on pedal Clavichords.

Tom Dressler

 

[giovannimusica]

Thom,

You know Willard Martin? WOW!!! His instruments are primo excellent. I know that Bach had in his personal posession 2 Lautenwerck and there was also a Lautenwerck in the organ loft at Thomaskirche, which, in my humble opinion, leads me to believe that Bach *employed* them for his cantatas, passions and other works. I think it's Willard's instrument used by Kim Heindl.

Yes, I salivate at the prospect of a Lautenwerck with pedalclavier - Ummmmm
What a glorious sound they make - I never tire of them.

Here's my dream: A 3-manual Lautenwerck w/ pedal section: 16' - 8' - 4' on each manual and pedal. Also, a buff lever for each manual and pedal - yeah, I know it's gonna be expensive but ya gotta have a dream to reach for that which is possible - the knowhow to build such an instrument is available.

Peace,

Giovanni

 

[Thomas Dressler]

Yeah, Willard Martin is a good friend. Besides being brilliant, he's a very interesting person and a very kind man.

I wouldn't be surprised about Bach and his Lautenwerck. I just don't know much about it. I'm going to have to pester Willard with questions about this.

I have a Zuckermann kit that Willard worked his magic on. (He calls it "Martinizing" them! lol)

Have you ever spent much time with a harpsichord 4'? Annoying little things--they stay in tune for about 10 minutes, and they are difficult to tune! This harpsichord has one, but I usually only bother with it when I'm playing a recital.

But hey, if you want one, have fun!

That sounds like quite an instrument you're dreaming about! You'll have to find someone to make it for you. . .

Forgive my short answers, I'm pretty tired at the moment. Was up til 4am last night writing arrangments for Xmas. . .so I think I'm going to bed on the early side tonight.

Tom Dressler

 

[giovannimusica]

Tom,

Ah yes, Harpsichord 4' - i've been able to get them to keep in tune for a 1/2 hour.

My friend has a Steven Sorli Lautenwerck - I like it more than my Herz Machine- as a matter of fact - i'm almost as jaded about the sound as Sir Thomas Beecham - remember what he said about harpsichords? Their sound reminded him of a squadron of skeletons copulating on a hot tin roof

I understand your fatigue. I'll be going to bed shortly.

Be Well And Do Good Work,

Giovanni

 

[Thomas Dressler]

Hi Giovanni,

I remember that quote by Thomas Beecham--always thought it was really funny, as were a lot of things he said!

I think the thing with harpsichords is to try to play something more on the historic side than the "revival" instruments of the early to mid 20th century. They jingle and jangle so much you can hardly hear pitches above all the noise, and I bet that's what Beecham had in mind. Historic instruments or new instruments by people like Willard Martin have a wonderful singing quality and not much jangle at all. I've heard of people loving the Lautenwerck, but I can also say that Willard's instruments are pretty wonderful. Back in October I was in his shop and he was working on the first double he had ever built. He's justifiably proud of that instrument. . .I spent some time playing it and absolutely loved it. It sings a lot more than the rebuilt kit of his that I have in my house. I told him I wanted to trade!

Tom

 

[giovannimusica]

Hi Tom,

Again, you make such eminent sense in what you say. Ah yes, historic instruments - a misunderstood category altogether but taken in context does make sense with performers who are keen and adept at their craft and have the priviledge of using an historic instrument. I've been playing the organ since I was seven - am forty three now. For some reason my ears have never liked the sounds that Schnitger organs produce - the Gabler in Weingarten Abbey sang it's way into my heart - guess i'm a sucker for that *Swabian* sound

I hope to travel to Leipzig and hear that Gerald Woehl organ at the Thomaskirche around Easter-time - much hoopla has been made about it.

Peace And Blessings Aplenty,

Giovanni

 

[Thomas Dressler]

Hi Giovanni,

How do you like that, I'm 43 too!

But I didn't start playing the organ seriously until I was 13.

I'm very keen on historic instruments. Spent some time recently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NY City playing some of the historic instruments--a REAL Ruckers, a Zenti (Italian 1666--often pictured in books), a 1763 Kintzing clavichord with a pantaleon stop, and very cool, the 1720 Cristofori piano (which I believe is the oldest playable piano.)

<---- That's Ray Charles playing the Cristofori piano.

I have never been to Germany, but I have to admit that on recordings, I do like the sounds of Schnitgers, but I also like the sound of Silbermanns and the less "northern" instruments. And, of course, I LOVE the Tannenbergs. I think I'm just a sucker for old German instruments! (and French. . .and Spanish. . .and Italian. . .)

I'd love to travel to Leipzig and make a Bach pilgrimage! One of these days. . .

Hope you had a nice Christmas!

Tom

 

[giovannimusica]

Hi Tom,

Holy Hannah, you're a fortunate fellow - what with all the interesting instruments you get to play - it seems that you're the right guy, at the right place and at the right moment - what a *cool* cat

I leave it up to my ears to mature enough to accept the sound of Schnitgers. I have mostly heard instruments by Tamburini and the odd Ruffatti here and there - Ruffatti's are *severe* to my ears. It's always a revelation to hear Spanish instruments. Some of their flute choruses are gems of voicing skill and of course their reeds are one of a kind.

All The Best To Ya,

Giovanni

 

[Thomas Dressler]

I agree with you on the Ruffati's. (But they're not historic, either.) I'm thinking more of real Italian Baroque instruments. I've never played one in person (now Italy is one place I'd REALLY, REALLY like to go!) But have played a copy by John Brombaugh at Duke University. I really like the sound.

Now, Italian harpsichords! Those I LOVE!

Spanish organ music is something I know very little about but would like to learn. I'm starting with some Soler on the harpsichord, but I want to learn some of the earlier Spanish composers. The recordings I've heard of Spanish organs are pretty amazing.

I feel fortunate, yes, and grateful for having had the chance to play the instruments I have. But there are so many interesting instruments out there. You sound like you travel a lot--what wonderful instruments to see and hear in Europe!

Tom

 

[giovannimusica]

Whoa,

John Brombaugh does Italian Baroque??? This I gotta check out

What a revelation!!! Thanx for the info. Yes I do travel alot - when you're 2500 odd miles from San Francisco as the crow flies, you feel sometimes that you're on a rock in the middle of a giant lake - it can get quite *provincial* here.

Giovanni

 

[Thomas Dressler]

Yes, actually it's quite a nice instrument, although I'd say the action is a bit too light.

Yes, but what a place to be stranded!

Tom