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Harpsichords like this were prized possessions in the homes of the 18th-century upper classes. Burkat Shudi and Jacob Kirkman may both have worked for Herman Tabel before establishing their own workshops. Like the 1755 Kirkman harpsichord, this instrument is veneered down its long spine side, suggesting it was made for an important customer who would not leave the instrument pushed against a wall. The instrument has several devices to regulate the sound, one being a pedal to alter registration (known as a machine stop), and the other operating a Venetian swell in the inner lid, a device patented by Shudi in 1769. Although it has been suggested that this instrument was known by the young Mozart whilst in the possession of Lady Hamilton, recent research has shown that this was not the case. Government allocation to the University, 1991.
Harpsichord
Burkat Shudi
London
Europe
England
United Kingdom

Instrument Information

Title

Double-manual harpsichord

Accession Number

4341

Collection

MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

1766

Period

18th century; 1760s

Gallery Information

Gallery

1812 Gallery

Case

From Home to Hall

Maker Information

Maker Name

Burkat Shudi

Maker Biography

Burkat Shudi (the elder) was born in 1702 in the city of Glarus in Switzerland. He had been taught joinery by his uncle and travelled to England in 1718. The family’s original name was Tschudi which he anglicised to Shudi when he arrived in England. He quickly took to harpsichord building and worked for Hermann Tabel. Tabel was Flemish and is credited with the introduction of the Flemish style of harpsichord building into England. Shudi set up his own business by 1729. Shudi lived for a time on the same street as Handel, who owned one of his instruments, and this must have greatly benefitted his business. Handel frequently was a guest at dinner with the Shudi’s. John Broadwood began to work for Shudi in 1761 and later became a business partner of Shudi. Shudi died in 1773 and Broadwood assumed control of the business with Burkat Shudi (the younger) as his junior partner.

Made In

City

London

Country

England

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Double-manual English harpsichord with venetian swell. Compass 60 notes F₁,G₁ - F₆ [FF,GG - f''']. Three sets of strings, 2 × 8-ft (dogleg), 1 × 4-ft, lute stop on upper 8-ft. Two pedals, left operates machine stop, right operates venetian swell.

String lengths (plucking points): F₆ 133 (54), C₆ 170 (62), F₅ 255 (74), C₅ 344 (82), F₄ 524 (95), C₄ 701 (104), F₃ 1006 (119), C₃ 1232 (130), F₂ 1522 (147), C₂ 1723 (160), F₁ 1862 (175).

Signature/Marks: Written in copperplate script on the name batten "Burkat Shudi No 529 fecit Londini 1766". Written on the back of the name batten "Restored by Arnold Dolmetsch London 1898". Stamped with metal die stamps on the back of the nameboard "BS No 529".

Decoration: The case (including the spine) is veneered with panels of figured mahogany with cross-banded borders. Keyboard surrounds are of burr walnut.

Repair History: Restored by Arnold Dolmetsch in 1898.

Provenance

W.R. Thomas, Burntisland; A. Harry Hodge; H. Vivian Hamilton, 1896; possibly Lady Catherine Hamilton, Naples, 1770. ; Allocated to the University in lieu of Inheritance Tax, 1991.

Classification

Instrument

Harpsichord/Harpsichords/Keyboard/Musical Instrument ; Harpsichord

Instrument Family

Keyboard

Hornbostel Sachs Classification

314.122-6-8 ; musical instrument