1920s Pleyel harpsichord overview with Hans Herr and Lana Krakovskiy

Hans Herr describes the capabilities of his newly-acquired 1920s Pleyel harpsichord currently undergoing restoration. This is the type and design of harpsichord initiated by Wanda Landowska in her early 20th C. revival of what was then regarded as an ancient, outmoded instrument.
Hans Herr is assisted by harpsichordist Lana Krakovskiy who demonstrates brief passages of music by Couperin to show the capabilities of the Pleyel.
Video produced by Artis Wodehouse and filmed October 2, 2021 at the home of Hans Herr in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Herr is a professional restorer of pipe organs at Brunner & Associates LLC - Organ Builders, Lancaster Pennsylvania and also restores reed organs.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Pleyel should make these things again due to their versatility

[@Paulofibonelli]

Indeed but I think Playel no longer exists

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@Paulofibonelli Actually they still Exist & Playel is still in business.

[@Paulofibonelli]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 wow how lovely to learn that I hope they start making Grand Modele concert Harpsichords once again

[@frankvenema97]

This is NOT the ‘Landowska-model’ original from 1912 (=Grand Modèle de Concert, length 250 cm). 3:36 This is the ‘Modèle réduit’, having a rounded tail and much shorter, lacking the 16’ stop.

[@sunbearwizard]

That nasal stop is so cool

[@andrewharrison8975]

There is definitely mis-tuning between the two registers on the lower manual, and elsewhere, but I guess the person who uploaded this but knew this.

[@karlsonkab51]

Along with the "Siena Pianoforte", one of the most gorgeous sounding instruments ever created. Please record a whole recital as don't believe there are any modern recordings to show off its true tone (?). (would PZM mics be appropriate? ) KZbin

[@tpixton]

Tuning the poor beast might have made it slightly more tolerable.

[@jerlatti]

Perhaps some tuning and preparing first next time?

[@ArtisWodehouse]

That's the plan!

[@takemyjobpleeez]

"Trianon" model. Don't see many of those.

[@ArtisWodehouse]

Thanks for this information.

[@philipbay1548]

There are only like 10 in existence as they were made to order. Remember this one has 1 8 foot choir which can be plucked from either keyboard.

[@philipbay1548]

Very nice! Where is it located?

[@ArtisWodehouse]

Hans Herr can be reached at: brunnerorgans.com

[@philipbay1548]

@@ArtisWodehouse thanks! I'm in Virginia Beach and I would love to swing by perhaps and see it!

[@cflmaior]

A heavy iron frame... pedals... almost the size of a Steinway D... it only lacks being converted to hammered strings to become a... piano !

[@ArtisWodehouse]

True. Really a new instrument, not a "harpsichord", per se.

[@francisgarnier308]

You know what was thé joke in the 1930 : " working in that way ( about harpsichord) pleyel will invent the pianoforte..." !

[@danielwaitzman2118]

@@ArtisWodehouse Of course it’s a harpsichord!-and it should be manufactured again, as an addition to the many varieties of harpsichord designs.

[@francisgarnier308]

Etes-vous certain de la qualité de votre restauration ? L'enregistrement de Wladyslaw Klosiewicz me paraît beaucoup plus conforme à la manière dont doit sonner un tel instrument. Sans cela, je doute que Wanda se fut satisfaite d'un tel son ... purment et simplement horrible ! Sorry not to sustein your efforts. kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZoCoh5Jma9aKZqs

[@ArtisWodehouse]

The information states that the instrument is "currently undergoing restoration." That means it is not restored at present.

[@philipbay1548]

well this is not the instrument Landowska would have played on. She played on the Pleyel Grand Modele de Concert. This is the smaller Trianon model.

[@francisgarnier308]

Tanks you for your answers. I expect not to have bothered you with my joke. Of course, everybody knows that wanda played the " grand concert " model ! Anyway, the sound was not really "grand ", alas !