Potvlieghe

This clavichord represents the type of instrument whose expressive capabilities were exploited in works written during the mid-1700s by composers such as Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714–1788) and Johann Gottfried Müthel (1728–1788).

The instrument has a compass of five octaves (FF–f´´´), and is double-strung in brass. The bass strings are open-wound. The tuning pins are the flat-headed historic type, but with holes for ease of string replacement. The names of the notes are written in ink near the tuning pins, using German nomenclature (c, cis, d, dis…).

The keylevers are made of limewood, and like many clavichords, are carved at the back for decoration.The natural key heads are covered with ebony and have arcaded fronts, whilst the sharps are ebony slipped with bone.

The soundboard is quarter-sawn spruce, and has the typical Saxon three-dimensional decorative parchment rose.

The inlay on the nameboard, keycheeks, hitchpinrail, and case interior is walnut, separated from the yew crossbanding by boxwood stringing. Both the inlay and brass feet on the legs replicate decorative features found on late-18th century clavichords which at their time of making would have been regarded as expensive instruments. The handmade reproduction lid hinges also represent 18th century central-German style.

The Belgian Joris Potvlieghe is regarded as one of the finest living clavichord makers. His instruments have featured on many significant recordings released by major international recording labels.

This clavichord was commissioned by the ANU in 2006 and entered the collection of the ANU Keyboard Institute in June 2008.

Pitch: A408