Michael Heale 1983 after Giusti

This small instrument was made in 1983 by the late Michael Heale of Guildford, renowned musical instrument maker.  It is a copy of a 1681 original by Giovanni Battista Giusti in the Germanische National Museum Nürnberg collection of musical instruments.

The instrument is typical of Italian harpsichords made with little change in structure from the 17th to late 18th centuries.  It is an easily portable continuo instrument, and particularly suited to early Italian and English solo keyboard repertoire.  

It is of false inner-outer construction, with the entire case and soundboard in Cedar of Lebanon.  Single manual, two 8ft registers, compass CC-d3 by short octave. 

The keyboard naturals are faced with boxwood with arcaded fronts, the sharps are solid ebony.

Jacks are in pearwood with turkey-quill plectra. Designed for A415, non-transposing.

The case exterior, trestle legs and prop-stick are attractively painted in imitation marble fashion.  It comes with a separate music-stand.  

The highly individual tone colour of this instrument has been much admired.  It is a joyful, bright and cheerful instrument, and each note speaks personally.  Sound clips are available on request.

It was completely overhauled by Andy Durand in 2023, when new turkey quills and dampers were installed, and it was re-strung with Malcolm Rose brass.  

Dimensions are 198 cm x 78 cm.  

It is located in Reading, Berks; viewing welcome. The price is £5,000.

Please contact Judith Silver  silverjr1@hotmail.com

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