The Instruments

Clavichord by Kurt Sperrhake (Passau, Germany circa 1953)
Location: The Beethoven Center, fifth floor Martin Luther King Library

This instrument is based on design elements common to many 18th century clavichords and was given to the Beethoven Center by Edyth Wagner through her brother Gene. Kurt Speerhake, part of the early instrument movement of the 1950's, made reproductions intended for use in concerts.

The clavichord makes sound when a key is depressed engaging a nail which touches the string. Because of this mechanism, the instrument can play both soft and medium soft levels. Despite this, it remains a quiet and intimate instrument. An unusual feature of the clavichord is the ability to effect a vibrato by holding down the key and wiggling one's finger. This is known as a Bebung and is unique to this keyboard.

Harpsichord by Eric Herz, on loan from the Wendel Family
Location: The Beethoven Center, fifth floor Martin Luther King Library

This double manual harpsichord was built in 1977 and purchased by Dr. Tom Wendel who was President of the American Beethoven Society Board. It is currently on loan to the Center.
www.hubharp.com/herz_index.htm

Fortepiano by Janine Johnson and Paul Poletti (1985)
modeled after a Dulken from 1795.
Location: Beethoven Center, fifth floor Martin Luther King Library

The fortepiano/pianoforte was invented in 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, Italy. His early instruments were similar in size and construction to the harpsichord, but with a hammer action that struck the strings. He applied a physical principal from clock making to develop his new device called single escapement. After the hammer strikes the string, it will rebound and reset.

Johann Andreas Stein improved upon the Christofori action design. This type of action became known as the Vienna action and it remained in use until the 20th century. Both fortepianos at the Beethoven Center have Vienese actions. This particular instrument was built in 1985 and modeled after Dulken fortepianos from the 18th century.
For more detailed information on Paul Poletti please go to www.polettipiano.com

Original Fortepiano by Mathais Jakesch (Vienna, Austria 1827)
Location: The Beethoven Center, fifth floor Martin Luther King Library

This instrument dates from 1827 and is one of only a few remaining made by Mathias Jakesch who came from a family of fortepiano builders. A few years before Jakesch's untimely death in 1828, he asked Conrad Graf, another well known instrument maker to become the guardian of his wife and five children. This fortepiano was purchased by members of the Beethoven Society and San José State University in 2001.

The piano measures 7 feet 7 inches long and has a keyboard range from C''' to F'''''. There are six pedals: a single and a double moderator, the una corda, damper, Janissary (or Turkish) and bassoon. This instrument was previously owned by a famous noble family in Siena, Italy. The pedal lyre also contains elements from the coat of arms of the Chigi-Gori-Zondari families.

Erard Grand Piano (Paris, France 1875) 
Location: School of Music, on loan, courtesy of Gwendolyn Mok and David Banks.

The inventions of Sebastian and Pierre Erard have been retained and improved upon by manufacturers of pianos from the 1820's to the present. Their most important invention is the double escapement mechanism that allows the hammer to rest in an intermediary position, slightly below the string before falling back to its resting position. This patented invention, for which the Erard family is credited, enables pianists to repeat notes at rapid speeds. This created new possibilities for virtuosity never before experienced. Liszt, Beethoven, Brahms, Schumann, Ravel all played Erards, often requesting one be available for public performances.

In recent years, two books, The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by Thad Carhart, (published by Random House), and The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason, (published by Vintage Books) both feature the Erard in their story. www.gwendolynmok.com/interviews.html