It is a challenge to design a simple and inexpensive, yet musically worthwhile harpsichord. Emmanuel Danset’s aim was to fulfill the need for a traditionally-shaped harpsichord in a similar price range to the spinet.
This Petit Clavecin is made by the craftsmen at Atelier Marc Ducornet in Paris, and forms the latest addition to their Logo range of inexpensive instruments.
The Cadet is single-strung, light and resonant. There is no plywood, chipboard, or MDF. The case and lid are made from solid lime, simply painted in one of four colors without any undercoat. The soundboard is Swiss pine. The instrument is strung using traditional tuning pins and soft wire. The three square-tapered legs screw into the bottom, and are varnished natural wood to match the soundboard rim, keywell, music desk and lid stick.
The simple fruitwood keyboard with 56-note range allows the performance of J.S. Bach. For the maximum versatility, the keyboard transposes up to modern pitch A440 without the loss of the top note.
This simple and dependable harpsichord has a clear and incisive tone, and we recommend it highly as a first harpsichord.
Our photo shows the Cadet model in the Imperia color, without the music desk.
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Pastór de Lasala performing an excerpt from François Couperin’s L’Enchanteresse. |
