Clavichord: Difference between revisions
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imported>Buccinator Masseter →Modern music: The wrong song was cited. "Caught a Lite Sneeze" features a harpsichord, not a clavichord. |
imported>Dough34 m →Structure and action: fix capitalization |
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==History and use== | ==History and use== | ||
[[File:Clavicorde Lépante.JPG|thumb|The "Lépante" fretted clavichord,<ref>[http://mediatheque.cite-musique.fr/masc/?INSTANCE=CITEMUSIQUE&URL=/ClientBookLineCIMU/recherche/NoticeDetailleByID.asp Catalogue entry] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419124012/http://mediatheque.cite-musique.fr/masc/?INSTANCE=CITEMUSIQUE&URL=%2Fclientbooklinecimu%2Frecherche%2FNoticeDetailleByID.asp |date=2014-04-19 }} for the Lépante clavichord, [[Cité de la Musique]], Paris (in French)</ref> Musée de la Musique, Paris]] | [[File:Clavicorde Lépante.JPG|thumb|The "Lépante" fretted clavichord,<ref>[http://mediatheque.cite-musique.fr/masc/?INSTANCE=CITEMUSIQUE&URL=/ClientBookLineCIMU/recherche/NoticeDetailleByID.asp Catalogue entry] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419124012/http://mediatheque.cite-musique.fr/masc/?INSTANCE=CITEMUSIQUE&URL=%2Fclientbooklinecimu%2Frecherche%2FNoticeDetailleByID.asp |date=2014-04-19 }} for the Lépante clavichord, [[Cité de la Musique]], Paris (in French)</ref> Musée de la Musique, Paris]] | ||
[[File:Hass clavichord of 1763.webm|thumb|start=7|thumbtime=75|1763 clavichord by [[Johann Adolph Hass]] in the [[Russell Collection]], [[Edinburgh]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Clavichord {{!}} Johann Adolph Hass {{!}} 1763 |url=https://collections.ed.ac.uk/stcecilias/record/96079 |website=St Cecilia's Hall |publisher=University of Edinburgh |access-date=20 February 2026}}</ref>]] | |||
The clavichord was invented in the early fourteenth century.<ref>{{harvnb|Brauchli|1998}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Jeans|1951}}</ref> In 1404, the German poem "{{Lang|de|Der Minne Regeln|italic=no}}" mentions the terms ''clavicimbalum'' (a term used mainly for the [[harpsichord]]) and ''clavichordium'', designating them as the best instruments to accompany melodies. | The clavichord was invented in the early fourteenth century.<ref>{{harvnb|Brauchli|1998}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Jeans|1951}}</ref> In 1404, the German poem "{{Lang|de|Der Minne Regeln|italic=no}}" mentions the terms ''clavicimbalum'' (a term used mainly for the [[harpsichord]]) and ''clavichordium'', designating them as the best instruments to accompany melodies. | ||
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[[File:Tangenty.JPG|thumb|Tangents]] | [[File:Tangenty.JPG|thumb|Tangents]] | ||
In the clavichord, strings run transversely from the [[hitchpin rail]] at the left-hand end to tuning pegs on the right. Towards the right end they pass over a curved wooden bridge. The action is simple, with the keys being levers with a small brass tangent, a small piece of metal similar in shape and size to the head of a flat-bladed screwdriver, at the far end. The strings, which are usually of brass, or else a combination of brass and iron, are usually arranged in pairs, like a lute or mandolin. When the key is pressed, the tangent strikes the strings above, causing them to sound in a similar fashion to the ''hammering'' technique on a guitar. Unlike in a piano action, the tangent does not rebound from the string; rather, it stays in contact with the string as long as the key is held, acting as both the [[Nut (string instrument)|nut]] and as the initiator of sound. The volume of the note can be changed by striking harder or softer, and the pitch can also be affected by varying the force of the tangent against the string (known as ''[[Bebung]]''). When the key is released, the tangent loses contact with the string and the vibration of the string is silenced by strips of damping cloth. | In the clavichord, strings run transversely from the [[hitchpin rail]] at the left-hand end to tuning pegs on the right. Towards the right end they pass over a curved wooden bridge. The action is simple, with the keys being levers with a small brass tangent, a small piece of metal similar in shape and size to the head of a flat-bladed screwdriver, at the far end. The strings, which are usually of brass, or else a combination of brass and iron, are usually arranged in pairs, like a lute or mandolin. When the key is pressed, the tangent strikes the strings above, causing them to sound in a similar fashion to the ''hammering'' technique on a guitar. Unlike in a piano action, the tangent does not rebound from the string; rather, it stays in contact with the string as long as the key is held, acting as both the [[Nut (string instrument)|nut]] and as the initiator of sound. The volume of the note can be changed by striking harder or softer, and the pitch can also be affected by varying the force of the tangent against the string (known as ''[[Bebung]]''). When the key is released, the tangent loses contact with the string and the vibration of the string is silenced by strips of damping cloth. | ||
[[File:122 Museu de la Música.jpg|thumb|left|Detail of the | [[File:122 Museu de la Música.jpg|thumb|left|Detail of the clavichord at [[Museu de la Música de Barcelona]]]] | ||
The action of the clavichord is unique among all keyboard instruments in that one part of the action simultaneously initiates the sound vibration while at the same time defining the endpoint of the vibrating string, and thus its pitch. Because of this intimate contact between the player's hand and the production of sound, the clavichord has been referred to as the most intimate of keyboard instruments. Despite its many (serious) limitations, including extremely low volume, it has considerable expressive power, the player being able to control attack, duration, and volume, and even provide certain subtle effects of swelling of tone and a type of vibrato unique to the clavichord. | The action of the clavichord is unique among all keyboard instruments in that one part of the action simultaneously initiates the sound vibration while at the same time defining the endpoint of the vibrating string, and thus its pitch. Because of this intimate contact between the player's hand and the production of sound, the clavichord has been referred to as the most intimate of keyboard instruments. Despite its many (serious) limitations, including extremely low volume, it has considerable expressive power, the player being able to control attack, duration, and volume, and even provide certain subtle effects of swelling of tone and a type of vibrato unique to the clavichord. | ||
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''"Of the many keyboard instruments, many of which are little known because of defects, or because they have not yet been introduced everywhere, there are two which have been most widely acclaimed, the harpsichord and the clavichord. The former is used mainly in louder music, the latter alone. The more recent pianofortes, when they are durable and well built, have many advantages, although their touch must be carefully worked out, a task which is not without difficulties. They sound well by themselves and in small ensembles. Yet, I hold that a good clavichord, except for its weaker tone, shares equally in the attractiveness of the pianoforte and in addition features the vibrato (Bebung) and portato (Tragen der Töne) which I produce by means of added pressure after each stroke. It is at the clavichord that a keyboard player may be most exactly evaluated."''{{sfn|Brauchli|1998|page=}}{{pn|date=November 2023}}{{sfn|Loucks|1992}}{{pn|date=November 2023}} | ''"Of the many keyboard instruments, many of which are little known because of defects, or because they have not yet been introduced everywhere, there are two which have been most widely acclaimed, the harpsichord and the clavichord. The former is used mainly in louder music, the latter alone. The more recent pianofortes, when they are durable and well built, have many advantages, although their touch must be carefully worked out, a task which is not without difficulties. They sound well by themselves and in small ensembles. Yet, I hold that a good clavichord, except for its weaker tone, shares equally in the attractiveness of the pianoforte and in addition features the vibrato (Bebung) and portato (Tragen der Töne) which I produce by means of added pressure after each stroke. It is at the clavichord that a keyboard player may be most exactly evaluated."''{{sfn|Brauchli|1998|page=}}{{pn|date=November 2023}}{{sfn|Loucks|1992}}{{pn|date=November 2023}} | ||
Among recent clavichord recordings, those by [[Christopher Hogwood]] (''The Secret Bach'', ''The Secret Handel'',<!-- That's the title: see http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000CDYDGC --> and ''The Secret Mozart''), break new ground. In his liner notes, Hogwood pointed out that these composers would typically have played the clavichord in the privacy of their homes. In England, the composer [[Herbert Howells]] (1892–1983) wrote two significant collections of pieces for clavichord (''[[Herbert Lambert|Lambert]]'s Clavichord'' and ''Howells' Clavichord''), and [[Stephen Dodgson]] (1924–2013) wrote two clavichord suites. | Among recent clavichord recordings, those by [[Christopher Hogwood]] (''The Secret Bach'', ''The Secret Handel'',<!-- That's the title: see http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B000CDYDGC --> and ''The Secret Mozart''), break new ground. In his liner notes, Hogwood pointed out that these composers would typically have played the clavichord in the privacy of their homes. In England, the composer [[Herbert Howells]] (1892–1983) wrote two significant collections of pieces for clavichord (''[[Herbert Lambert|Lambert]]'s Clavichord'' and ''Howells' Clavichord''), and [[Stephen Dodgson]] (1924–2013) wrote two clavichord suites. A comprehensive catalogue of modern clavichord works and discography was published in 2024.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Knights |first=Francis |title=Modern Clavichord Music |publisher=Peacock Press |year=2024 |isbn=978-1-914934-93-3 |location=Hebden Bridge |language=en}}</ref> | ||
In a note written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's wife, Constanze Mozart (1761–1842), found inside Mozart's clavichord, it is mentioned that Mozart composed his works, including The Magic Flute, La Clemenza di Tito, The Requiem, and a Masonic Cantata, on this clavichord.{{sfn|Brauchli|1998|page=}}{{pn|date=November 2023}} | In a note written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's wife, Constanze Mozart (1761–1842), found inside Mozart's clavichord, it is mentioned that Mozart composed his works, including The Magic Flute, La Clemenza di Tito, The Requiem, and a Masonic Cantata, on this clavichord.{{sfn|Brauchli|1998|page=}}{{pn|date=November 2023}} | ||