Harpsichord

I recently corresponded with an owner of an unusual Challis harpsichord. Challis took a fortepiano apart and converted it to a harpsichord using his design ideas. Attached are some photos of the instrument. The owner was looking to find a new home for the harpsichord. She is now donating it to the Stearns collection at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. They have an interest in Challis as he was originally from Michigan.

Also attached is a photo from a page in the book Keyboard Changes published by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. It chronicles the history of keyboard instruments in America from 1700-1840. This page in the book goes into some detail about Challis modifying a harpsichord at Williamsburg in 1949-50. See the attached photo. I wonder how many more instruments he modified over the years? 

Love his work or hate it, Challis was an important figure in the history of the twentieth century harpsichord revival. I really liked the 1971 Challis harpsichord that I restored. Yes, they can be a challenge to work on!

I recently corresponded with an owner of an unusual Challis harpsichord. Challis took a fortepiano apart and converted it to a harpsichord using his design ideas. Attached are some photos of the instrument. The owner was looking to find a new home for the harpsichord. She is now donating it to the Stearns collection at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. They have an interest in Challis as he was originally from Michigan.

Also attached is a photo from a page in the book Keyboard Changes published by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. It chronicles the history of keyboard instruments in America from 1700-1840. This page in the book goes into some detail about Challis modifying a harpsichord at Williamsburg in 1949-50. See the attached photo. I wonder how many more instruments he modified over the years? 

Love his work or hate it, Challis was an important figure in the history of the twentieth century harpsichord revival. I really liked the 1971 Challis harpsichord that I restored. Yes, they can be a challenge to work on!