Improvisation: Toccata in the style of Merulo (on a self built Harpsichord)

A (carefully prepared) improvisation, attempting to meet the style of Claudio Merulo in his two books of Toccatas (published in 1598 and 1604).
The Instrument used for this recording is my first harpsichord that I built from scratch in 2023/2024. It is modeled on Italian instruments of the 16th and 17th centuries with a compass of C/E-c''', featuring split sharps for d#/eb and g#/ab as well as a beautiful parchment rose made by Elena Dal Cortivo.
Temperament: 1/4-comma meantone, 440 Hz.
Recorded in Kartäuserkirche Basel, Switzerland, 7/24.

[@francoisbruel9163]

Way beyond impressive!

[@sabinepietsch8962]

Großartig lieber Valentin ♥️

[@TonyBittner-Collins]

Beautifully played! 🎼 🎶💕

[@alexmontes8152]

Lovely instrument!!!

[@larrylewis3573]

Dear Mr. Richter, What a lovely sounding instrument you have constructed, matched by your very fine improvisation. What more ancient and beautiful place to make this recording than in a church of the Order of Carthusians, whose motto is, “The Cross Stands, While the World Turns.” It is said of this Order of Monks and Nuns that they have never been deformed, therefore never reformed. You have much in common with this ancient Order, both in your handcrafting of this lovely Italian harpsichord, and your replication of an improvised Toccata. Thank you very much for sharing both this instrument and your music with us. What a lovely gift. Sincerely, Larry Clarence Lewis London, Ontario, Canada.

[@lorentzlossius771]

Beautiful little Italian! So suave, with that salty tang in the temperament. Love it.

[@francobandera]

Costruttore, esecutore, compositore. Bravo, bravo, bravo.

[@user-lk2jr9jd3e]

Bravo on all counts!

[@TheresedeGoede]

Beautiful!

[@catena92]

Bravissimo! Bello strumento!

[@bmedicky]

A wonderful improvisation and a fine-sounding instrument. Iron or brass stringing...?

[@valentinrichter]

Thank you! It’s all brass.

[@adrianodasilvatrarbach771]

genial 😍💙

[@OfficialWorldChampion]

nice job

[@robertjamesseeley741]

Lovely on all levels. What plan/blueprint did you use as a guide?

[@valentinrichter]

Thank you! I designed my own plan after looking at various historical designs as well as replicas of Italian harpsichords.