Literally the only guy I've seen who actually understands and physically plays an instrument when showcasing it, unlike most other boring reporters who are just reading off memorized script.
For anyone searching - I've finally found it: The piece at 6:12 is from the Antwerpener Tanzbuch (Chorearum Molliorum Collectanea, 1583) by Pierre Phalèse and is called Gaillarde Mais pourqoy. So far, I've only found a recording with an arrangement for multiple instruments, not for solo harpsichord.
My grandmother has a harpsichord I used to play on all the time when I was a kid. You can really feel the pluck when you press down each key, it's a completely different feeling from playing piano.
Love these instruments and I've especially loved harpsichord since I first heard it! Transports me back in time. Maybe I had a past life during those times...
I'm a new film maker documenting interesting collections. Check this piano collection in Massachusetts: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-a-ZzsKl3qJE.html
The harpsichord doesn’t have dynamics since it plucks the strings and they always give under the same amount of tension, so you can’t change the volume by hitting the key harder or softer. You can see at 4:49 he pulls they key down very slowly and it still sounds at full volume. You might be thinking, “but you can adjust dynamics on a guitar and that’s plucked”, but it works there because you can adjust the position of your finger. On a harpsichord, the jacks are locked into only moving vertically. The piano replaced the jacks with hammers which allows you you have dynamics. But the clavichord strikes the strings with tangents, so it has dynamics too. The name pianoforte (later shortened to piano) comes from the fact that the instrument can play piano and forte which the harpsichord can’t
i like when he said " this piano Mozart finally bought" reminds me how i borrow tools or an instrument to a friend and they never return the item and finally they decide to give me some money and purchase it from me, in which case i never get back the initial investment but in turn i end up helping a friend in need
I’m impressed at how he’s well versed in all these instruments. These pianos are very different from one another ... you really have to have a good ear to be able to be get the flow.
*You sit In your chambers, waiting to fall asleep. Suddenly, you hear your harpsichord being tuned very silently, despite it being closed.* *You hear a pleased squeek as the string reaches a perfect C note.*
Excellent explanation of the differences between the harpsichord, clavichord, and piano. Thanks so much. You are, or would make, a great teacher. Your grasp of the subject and clear explanations should set the standard for others.
I love the sound of the clavichord and the harpsichord. They are my favorite of the keyboard instruments from before the modern electronic era. Well, I suppose you also have to add in the organ but that's in a different class. I especially love the small, almost lute-like quality of the clavichord.
Wonderful presentation. Thank you for making it. Any chance you could make more on other instruments such as the celesta? It’s really nice how you explain the history of the instruments and how they work.
If I might make a couple of clarifications: Actually, the earliest stringed keyboard instrument known is the hurdy-gurdy; it has been depicted since the 12th century, whereas the earliest possible references to the clavichord are from the 14th century. Additionally, there is a more direct ancestor of the piano known from the 15th century: the "dulce melos", or keyed dulcimer, described in the manuscript of Henri Arnault van Zwolle ...
Another observation: The harpsichord shown appears to be in the Italian style; there is no provision for moving the jackslides to provide a contrast of tone, as in Flemish instruments...
It’s from what the keys used to be made out of. The accidental keys (black) used to be made of ebony wood. And the natural keys (white) used to be make of ivory. After that kinda.. became not okay, they moved to either plastic stuck to wood, or painted wood. The colour just stuck.
I believe thats incorrect. The white keys were originally made from black ebony wood since it was more widespread. The modern black keys used to be white ivory since it was more scarce
@@MrHantz101 how would white keys be made of black wood and black keys of ivory? would they just paint over them to basically rid them of their aesthetics?
I meant that the colors were reverse of what we have today. The (currently) white keys would have been made from black ebony wood hundreds of years ago. My reasoning was incorrect tho, they actually swapped the colors because the black keys (currently white) were too hard to differentiate with the black gap between them. Making those keys white highlighted the gap, making them easier to play. And no, I dont get high anymore :)
One can imagine the people who made the clavichord saying to themselves, "This is fine, what kind of maniac would expect F and F♯ to be played at the same time anyway?" (And then composers, being composers, immediately going "Hold my ale, 'tis dissonance o'th'clock." :)
2:46 That was just a beautiful demonstration. Can anyone help me by identifying the composer/composition and maybe point to some similar late renaissance/early baroque? style music for clavichord? I really need some more of that 😍. ( I'm also in the need for an ear-heart emoji! 😄)
I rather like the sound of all these older instruments. Thank you for sharing and posting this. And Willard Martin. I wonder if it isn't one of the Martin Family of guitar makers.
I did some googling on the harpsichord piece. It's from the "Antwerp Dance book", aka, "Chorearum molliorum collectanea", aka "Antwerpener Tanzbuch" from 1583 (not 1587), printed by Pierre Phalèse. You get the most youtube/google hits with "Antwerpener Tanzbuch". I didn't find this specific piece though.
It's the first piece from the Antwerpener Tanzbuch 1 (there are two little books). It's a Gaillarde named "Mais Pourquoi" of Pierre Phalèse (1571 - 1583). I bought the book yesterday. The piece that was playing the man it's probably a transcription for keyboard, because I see only the score with 4 voices (Superius, Contratenor, Tenor, Bassus)
This video has answered my questions about how keyboard instruments evolved over the centuries. Before RU-vid, I had no idea where to look. This, my friends is the value of YT. To learn. I am 84 yrs. old...never stop learning!
