Welcome to Friends of Square Pianos!
Update June 17th
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New to the Sale Page -
A Remarkably 'Original' 18th-century Piano
Sold!
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Piano Auctions Prices Realized -
See Auction Page
Welcome to Friends of Square Pianos! This is a sort of on-line club for anyone who owns, or would like to own, a square piano. Or anyone who is just interested, possibly to learn a little more.
Please get in touch with me, David, on friends.sp@btinternet.com with questions, comments, or just to say 'Hello'. This is a site for everyone, especially those new to the world of Square Pianos. And of course, we very much appreciate the support of those with more experience.
The Pianos for Sale page is always very popular. I make no charge to either buyers or sellers for featuring pianos on this, but if all goes well I do appreciate a donation to my branch of Cats Protection, to support our volunteers in their work. www.cats.org.uk/wellingborough They give freely of their love and time, but our vets' bills are truly frightening! It's the same with any bits and pieces that I make for Friends' pianos - all the money goes straight to the charity.
New to the Sale Page
1794 Houston - Sold!
It is rare to find an eighteenth-century piano in such 'original' condition. Please see the Sale Page for details of this lovely Houston.
1822 Broadwood
Harp for Sale
Have you ever turned up at a party with nothing to play? This could be the answer you have been looking for.
Yes, I know it's not a Square Piano. It's not even a piano, and certainly not square, but it is very beautiful (and rare) so I am making an exception.
It is a single action sevenpedal harp by the notable Swedish Court Maker Mathias Peter Kraft.
Pleas see the Sale Page for details of this one.
Newsletter from Lucy Coad.
Lucy's newsletters are always full of stories about interesting pianos. Please go to her listing on the Friends and Suppliers Page if you would like to be included on her mailing list.
The Pianos of Muzio Clementi
A Study by Leif Sahlqvist
Much has been written about Muzio Clementi, the Man and His Music, but relatively little about the pianos that carried his name for thirty years and more. But Leif Sahlqvist has been quietly studying the pianos themselves for many years, and has collected data on more than four hundred surviving pianos. The company's records have all been lost due to fire, but Leif has been able to reconstruct accurate tables of serial numbers and years of manufacture.
We were privileged to receive his presentation at Finchcocks this year, and the PDF based on his presentation is now exclusively available to download via this website. Please see the Finchcocks page, or the special Clementi page which will be its permanent home.
Finchcocks 2013
11th - 12th May
About 36 Friends gathered at Finchcocks for our third assembly.
Special thanks to Katrina and Richard Burnett, for making us so welcome, and to Alastair Laurence for his leadership of the practical arrangements.
A report is on the Finchcocks Page.
We are already making provisonal plans for next year, when the dates will be May 10th and 11th. Please let me know in principle if you would be interested in coming, and make your suggestions for possible items for the programme.
A New Book by John Watson
I have just received my copy of this splendid book, and I can heartily recommend it. As we would expect from John, it is beautifully written and authoritative. The illustrations are a joy, and there are many new insights. For orders within the US, please click onthe image above, which will take to directly to the CWF site.
For anyone living outside the US, the best option seems to be to go to Amazon. I'm afraid it's a bit expensive at present, but we can't seem to find a way round this - unless you have a friend in the US!
-Features transitions of keyboard instruments between 1700 to 1830
-Hardcover8″x10½″ 144 pages
The transition from harpsichord to piano and the accompanying shift in taste between 1700 and 1830 was a musical revolution in revolutionary times. So, also, was the transition from London’s monopoly on the manufacture of instruments to a burgeoning American industry.
Changing Keys: Keyboard Instruments for America 1700-1830 explores furniture design, regional and political influences, market and demographic shifts, manufacturing technologies, and the competition among makers and merchants during the colonial and federal eras.
On the Sale Page
Longman & Broderip, Broderip & Wilkinson, Wilkinson & Wornum.... It seems that the only year that George Wilkinson was on his own at 13 Hay Market was 1810, and this is the estimated date of this interesting piano, presented as a 'complete' restoration project. Details, including the Special Offer for Dutch Friends, on the Pianos for Sale Page.
Square Piano Tech
Please take time to visit our sister website www.squarepianotech.com This is run by our Friend Tom Strange in America, and is rapidly growing into a treasure-store of permanent wisdom.
About the 'Webmaster' (David Hackett)
My only claim to respectability is that Carl Dolmetsch once offered to take me on as an apprentice. This was in 1962, when I had just shown him my first clavichord, and been his guest at Haslemere. However, he also advised me that it would be better to go to University, and I accepted his advice. Early Keyboard Instruments have therefore remained a hobby, and since accepting early retirement, I am able to spend a bit more time enjoying them - and encouraging others, I hope..
My real work is with homeless cats now, though - I have the privilege to be Co-ordinator of the local voluntary branch of Cats Protection.
To make a donation, please click on the picture above. Thank you.
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