Welcome to Friends of Square Pianos!
Update May 13th
A Good Weekend at Finchcocks
Welcome to the new website of 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 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.
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.
I think it's fair to say that A Good Time Was Had By All.
We would especially like to thank our pianist, Martyna Kazmierczak, for a truly memorable, intimate performance in the evening light. The pianos she used were the tiny Walter, an early Beyer, and a fine Clementi. She played each instrument with a true feeling for its character, and its relationship to the music. I particularly enjoyed her sympathetic interpretaion of the pieces by CPE Bach, played on the Beyer. This most mysterious of composers demands so much more than just playing the notes, and Martyna brought out the deep emotion.
A fuller report will appear soon.
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.
The Clementi Page
Leif Sahlquist's ground-breaking work on the pianos of Clementi's firm will appear on this page within a few days.
The page may be found under 'Makers and Research'.
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.
New to The Sale Page
A handsome Thomas Tomkison, number 9221, c.1830
A fine 1794 Broadwood - these early 'Straight Damper' Broadwoods are always sought-after, and my personal favourites. This piano is one of the first to carry the inscription 'Broadwood & Son' - Burkat Shudi's only grandson James Shudi Broadwood came of age in 1793, and duly was made Partner.
Sold!
...and the only recorded example of a piano by John Bunting, 22, Swan Street, The Minories. This was a street just north of the Tower of London.
Please see the Pianos for Sale page for details of these three pianos, and others.
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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