Henry Purcell: Three little pieces, played on replica 1677 Epinette à l'octave of Jean Denis, played by Ryan Layne Whitney

For more information about this instrument, contact the builder, Jack Peters, at www.jackpeters..... The three little pieces by Purcell are Hornpipe, A New Ground, and Air. The Epinette à l'octave was quite popular in the 1670's. This one's an exact replica of the one surviving from the hands of Jean Denis, Paris maker from 1677. The standard 50-note GG/BB to c3 compass is enclosed in a rectangular case of black walnut. The keyboard is not removable but built into the bottom. Each key lever must be removed individually. The jacks are quite short and need lead weight to return. It is tuned a minor seventh above modern pitch or an octave above a=392. The accidentals of solid bone were made by Owen Daly. The spinet was made by Jack Peters in Seattle. Note from the performer: This is an instrument on which, for once, NOT having long fingers could be an advantage! The viewer will note the small size of the keys, and some will be aware of my struggle not to play on the cracks a good part of the time. This instrument, in its day, was probably a lady's instrument, and such small spinets were likely relegated to the boudoir and not to the public music room.

[@wonderninja]

I'm pretty sure Hornpipe was grade two piano in the uk around 1985-6, I never completed it, having only played for a few months, but those first bars sound way too familiar. All these years I've been wondering just what that tune was. The score was long lost, none of my clever google searches ever seemed to come close, I had to face the idea that I would surely never hear it again... Last year I started learning piano again, on a digital piano. This triggered a clavichord obsession which led KZbin to recommend this video and I could hardly believe it! At last I get to hear this thirty-five year old earworm in its entirety , put a name to it, get some closure, and appreciate how great a tune it is. MIND BLOWN

[@moseskfrost]

Search for «The Old Bachelor,» and find even more results! Featuring the _Hornpipe_ in further variations.

[@teafruitbat]

No it's not: it is a tiny spinet harpsichord. The strings are plucked by plectra, not struck with tangents, as in a clavichord. I have many other videos recorded on clavichord (as do quite a few other KZbin contributors).

[@searchingforlostatoms7191]

My ears, dear sir, are a swirl of heavenly delight. The meadows dance to the tune of pastel delight and the aroma of persimmon blossoms abounds through the landscape. Oh, to pass through this light and airy field of decorative flavors throughout the day. Oh, and the music is good, too

[@machenga]

Omg!!! That opening riff at 0:43 was so metal!!! I wish I could have heard Randy Rhoads play it!!!

[@fnersch3367]

Interesting. It is a ground bass piece that was common in the 18th C.

[@KandiKlover]

“Let the deities approve” is the vocal version

[@nothingisavaillable]

Hello! I'm an international student from China in Louisiana. I'm doing a research project about history of the piano, planning to show my teacher and classmates videos and audio files about instruments involved, and the spinet is surely involved, plus your video is really good and showing everything about the instrument rather clearly. So... if there's any way I could get this video, I would be really thankful... It's not for anything else but the project. Thank you so much!

[@teafruitbat]

I only borrowed this instrument for a short period a few years ago, and do not have experience with other such small spinets, but I think that the clacking sound may be a part of the "experience"-though I am not prepared to say that this is categorically true (I'll ask the builder). It may have had something to do with the microphone placement. My little clavichords have some mechanical clicking, too, and so does my large harpsichord, though it makes such a din, that the clicking is masked.

[@claus93Sethsen]

i really like henry purcell's music. and i feel you played it perfect :D

[@robappleby583]

Delightful.

[@ivinskymacklenbergrurikovi7797]

Oh Majesty!!

[@richardrye7200]

Wonderful!

[@mabel8179]

It's lovely. I am intrigued as to where the plectra are that pluck the strings are- I can't see them.

[@teafruitbat]

They plectra come up through the soundboard underneath the dark wood diagonal rail at the back.

[@mabel8179]

Thank you!

[@ana-ch3ie]

The sheet size☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@fnersch3367]

This spinetino is superior to the Italian ottavino that I have. Better action and sound. They all are noisy. These were invented as travelling practice instruments for professional musicians and go back to the beginning of harpsichord history.

[@teafruitbat]

Thank you for your comment. The instrument, by the way, is available for sale from its maker, Jack Peters, at the web site in the information below the video (I only borrowed it for a short time years ago to make the videos).

[@Carminantiqua]

Where can I get the score of these pieces?

[@junonoswald3607]

hi, i was wondering wich pieces is it? Does someone know ? thanks

[@fusilijerry6295]

It's in the description of the video.

[@Ekvitarius]

And also the titles are on screen as they appear.

[@RB304]

this certainly is the smallest harpsichord ive ever seen! i wonder where i can get one........?

[@fnersch3367]

Build it like I did.

[@TheTimeDetective42]

@@fnersch3367 Yeah im gonna build a harpsichord, wtf! LOL

[@bignatec1000]

It's a clavichord

[@hartleymartin]

Where can I get scores for these pieces? I could not find them on IMSLP or any of the other usual public domain music places.

[@青い虎-v9v]

Dude, how can I get one of these? beautiful instrument!

[@bignatec1000]

@teafruitbat wow, now that I look more closely at it I can see the different mechanism. I can't believe I didn't notice that before.

[@mandrke2004]

Great performance, Mister. Especially that new ground. Its pretty similar to another really fantastic one by him for harpsichord, just can´t recollect the name, heard it about 2 years ago.

[@kefaad]

beutiful. I also enjoy playing Purcell in my little spinet:-)

[@RamiroBrandan]

where i can obtain the score?

[@teafruitbat]

I have the volume "Miscellaneous Keyboard Pieces" by Henry Purcell, edited by Howard Ferguson and published by Stainer & Bell (No. K22), an English publisher, the second of two volumes comprising Purcell's complete harpsichord works; his "Eight Suites" are issued as S&B No. K21. I'm not sure, actually, if that is the score I used here, as it looks like I was reading from a photocopy. Nonetheless, the Stainer & Bell edition is, I think, readily available.

[@RamiroBrandan]

thanks