Pedal Harpsichord
Born in South Lyon, Michigan, John Challis was American's first native-born harpsichord maker. After apprenticing with Arnold Dolmetsch in England in 1926-30, he returned to the United States and set up shop in Ypsilanti, Michigan, later moving to New York City. In 1960, organist E. Power Biggs approached Challis to construct a pedal harpsichord. Building upon years of research and experimentation, Challis produced a highly ambitious instrument similar to this one. Biggs, impressed with the results, used the instrument in a group of highly acclaimed recordings of organ works. Seven years later this more complex and decorative instrument was made at the request of Canadian organist Gordon Jeffery. Both instruments incorporated state-of-the-art construction techniques such as a lightweight (35 lb.) cast aluminum frame, a soundboard of honeycombed aluminum, and mechanical parts of a variety of metals and synthetic materials. Such innovations made the instruments extremely stable compared to traditionally constructed instruments, which need frequent tunings.
Technical description: Pedal harpsichord consisting of two discrete instruments: a two-manual harpsichord having 16', 8'(2), 4', and 2' stops on the lower manual and 8' and 4' on the upper manual, plus lute stops on the 8' of both the upper and lower manuals; a pedal harpsichord with 16', 8', 4', and 2' stops with lute stop on the 8', plus Venetian swell. The stops are controlled by pedals with redundant hand stops for the two-manual harpsichord. There are no couplers. The case and matching bench are made of mahogany with satinwood banding and geometric inlay. The underside of the lid is veneered in satinwood. The instrument employs a cast aluminum frame and honeycombed aluminum soundboard of unique design.
Artwork Details
- Title: Pedal Harpsichord
- Maker: John Challis (American, South Lyon, Michigan 1907–1974 New York City)
- Date: 1967
- Geography: New York, New York, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Wood, metal, various materials
- Dimensions: Overall: 113 x 139.7 x 301 cm (44 1/2 x 55 x 118 1/2 in.)
Harpsichord: 87 x 104.1 x 245.6 cm (34 1/4 x 41 x 96 11/16 in.)
Pedal Unit: 26 x 139.7 x 301 cm (10 1/4 x 55 x 118 1/2 in.)
Bench: w. 119 cm x h. 72 cm x d 34 cm - Classification: Chordophone-Zither-plucked-harpsichord
- Credit Line: Purchase, Murtogh D. Guinness Bequest, 2003
- Object Number: 2003.377a, b
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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