Flemish Harpsichord after Moerman 1581, 2 x 8‘, FF - f3, 3 x transp. lute, 2250 mm, waxed, on stands
The one manual harpsichord according to Hans Moermans, Antwerpen 1584
It seems that there were two harpsichord makers called Hans or Jan Moermans in Antwerp, the big centre of the Flandern harpsichord building during the 16th and 17th century. Maybe they were father and son. In 1570 the older joined the St. Lukas-Gilde as harpsichord maker. In that time the St. Lukas-Gilde in Antwerp was the guild for the harpsichord builders - also the very famous Ruckers family was organized there. Hans Moermans lived in "op de Cathelijnevest, Int gulden Serpent" in 1584. Exactly in that time he built this harpsichord - here present as rebuilding - which's rose is signed with the initials H M. It has been a note in 1610 that he not only built instruments but also sang (bass) in chorus of the O. L. Vrouve Kerk (church of our beloved wife).
The instrument built in 1584 belonged to Alphonose von Neste and was restored from F. Hubbard in Boston in 1963. It's a one manual harpsichord with 4’ and 8’. The compass G/B-f''', nearly 5 octaves, is expectional large for that time.
The rebuilding was extended in compass (contra F-f''') and has the transposing possibilities 392/415/440 Hz. The disposition is 2x 8’ + buff stop. The strings are from cupper (red brass), brass and soft iron wire, which has been drawn in historical way and diameters. The inside of this instrument is decorated with the typical Flemish ornament prints on Japanese paper, the outside is stained dark and waxed. The register levers and lid hinges are forged from iron and waxed. The instrument has a big Flemish baluster-stand.
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