> [with many snips]
 
>Without arguing the virtues of Peter Redstone's instruments, I
>would suggest that a school thinking about a purchase really
>should look closely at its teaching and performing plans, and
>consider whether a style closer to the musical mainstream,
>whether Italian, Flemish, or French (which dominated the 16th,
>17th, and 18th centuries, respectively) might not better serve
>the purpose.
>
>As Hubbard writes, (page 13, p.3):
>
>"It is ironic that nearly all twentieth-century makers are
>unanimous in declaring the Italian-style harpsichord too limited
>in color and range to stand as a candidate for the general
>purpose instrument, and yet during the sevcenteenth and
>eighteenth centuries it more nearly fulfilled that purpose than
>any other type of harpsichord. Are we once again blinding
>ourselves to the obvious?"
>
>                                        David Calhoun, Seattle
 
David:  Many thanks for your very interesting post, and for reminding us
that it's the MUSIC, stupid!!!
 
As a side note, back in the mid-70s we were charged with ordering an
all-purpose harpsichord for the use of the Indiana University Pro Arte, an
ensemble that did a fair amount of touring and covered a repertoire from Du
Fay to Bach.  We settled on a very simple, sturdy instrument--a
professionally-built Zuckerman Flemish, one manual, 2 x 8'.  IT WAS PERFECT
FOR OUR NEEDS!  We had to fight the musicologists who swore that a
two-register instrument had to have 8' and 4', even though the 2 x 8' was
an option from the Flemish makers in the 17th century!  But the 2 x 8'
registration gave us enough variety for continuo playing and proved itself
musically time after time.  The Flemish construction turned out to be very
solid, and the instrument traveled all over Indiana in the back of a
station wagon and required little more than a touchup when we arrived.  It
could be carried by two, and the action was simple enough to keep working
through the indecent weather changes Indiana enjoys.  (In contrast, our
conductor owned a Shortridge Italian with a tone quality to make you weep,
but the poor thing could not hold its tuning through half a concert.)
 
John
 
 
John & Susie Howell ([log in to unmask])
Virginia Tech Department of Music
Blacksburg, Virginia U.S.A. 24061-0240
(703) 231-8411 - FAX (703) 231- 5034