Sabathil & Son Harpsichord demonstration

[@tristanblaskowitz_legacy]

The harpsichord is the most beautiful instrument of the world.

[@erdavis7]

Nevermind, I just read the earlier comment. It is sad that the sheet music for such a beautiful piece was lost, but also must bring such joy to play it from memory. Thank you for this recording. I wish the builders the best, and hope to be a happy owner of one of these instruments some day.

[@pucknanimal]

Will love to own one of these (I'll stick with the less complicated single keyboard instead of the double). Love the tone of this. 22 years since I've touched a piano let alone a harpsichord. Love baroque music...and it will always be a hobby of mine. Playing Bach, Telemann, Handel. My profession is wildlife photography but I yearn to play the harpsichord again.

[@sabathilandson]

The first piece my father is playing is part of a Suite by Matthias Weckmann (1619-1674). There is a recording available on the Wildboar label called, "Seventeenth Century German Harpsichord Music; The Stylus Phantasticus", (see our video description section for the website address). In the album's description it states, "many of the composers' names are unfamiliar; much of their music is not available in print, let alone on recording." Maybe someone will find the sheet music somewhere one day!

[@cav0129]

absolutley beautiful instrument!! take care of it!!!

[@JamesBowersMusic]

I had the pleasure to work at the Sabathil factory way back in 1971 or so when I was just out of high school. I would string instruments in the morning and play them on my lunch break. It was divine. If I hadn't needed to pursue my career in composition and production I would have stayed there as long as they wanted me. Not only are Sabathils's great sounding instruments, they are made by very warm and pleasant people. I think it's comes through in the sound. James Jamesbowersmusic

[@sabathilandson]

Thanks for your comment! In fact, shipping for one of our clavichords to the UK by air (and most major cities worldwide) is only about $150 GBP ($290 USD), and our instruments are very reasonably priced. The first piece you heard was from a suite by Matthias Weckmann (scan our earlier comments for more details).

[@sabathilandson]

The first piece my father is playing is part of a Suite by Matthias Weckmann (1619-1674). There is a recording available on the Wildboar label called, Seventeenth Century German Harpsichord Music; The Stylus Phantasticus, performed by Edward Parmentier. I believe you can find it on Amazon. Enjoy!

[@sabathilandson]

@Mrphilharmonic Thanks for the compliment! Quite the contrary re: keeping it in tune. Our instruments are built with a light aluminum frame that makes them exceptionally stable; they are well-known for staying in tune for much longer periods than wood framed instruments.

[@sabathilandson]

Like a piano, it depends on the make/maker, whether it is new or used, how elaborately it is decorated, what condition it is in, etc. Sabathil instruments are amongst the most reasonably priced in the world, as my father wants as many people as possible to share in their beauty and sound. Most harpsichords require daily tuning(!), but because we make ours with a light aluminum frame to hold the tension of the strings, tuning and maintenance is minimal and the resonance is superb.

[@sabathilandson]

Thanks for your comment! You are right, the roman numerals correspond to 1980, as that is when the design for this harpsichord was conceived. As for harpsichords from the 1700s, I imagine most are in museums...

[@sabathilandson]

I did post the info. about a Matthias Weckmann recording in the comments here, but in case you can't see it, here it is again: The first piece my father is playing is part of a Suite by Matthias Weckmann (1619-1674). There is a recording available on the Wildboar label called, Seventeenth Century German Harpsichord Music; The Stylus Phantasticus, performed by Edward Parmentier. I believe you can find it on Amazon(dot)com. Enjoy!

[@sabathilandson]

It's by Matthias Weckmann; have a look through previous comments for this video where I have posted the details...

[@sabathilandson]

Thanks for setting us straight on that piece...much appreciated!

[@ramesses88]

It's the means by which the sound is produced. A piano's sound is produced by the hitting of hammers upon strings. The Harpsichord's sound is produced via a plucking mechanism. As guitar strings are plucked also, the sound is similar.

[@hbmp88]

This sounds so nice compared to other harpsichord videos! I envy this instrument even as a pianist!

[@beethovenbd]

lovely sound..I heard some handel sarabande in there aswell.

[@KarlAmade]

It's so lovely to hear a tuned harpsichord... I expected the higher tunes to be untuned, but no! Perhaps I'll buy one or three from you.

[@sabathilandson]

Thank you! They are, and will be, well taken care of, by us and/or their new owners!

[@sabathilandson]

Thanks for your kind words! I will pass them on to my father. You'll be happy to hear that we do, in fact, have a professional recording of one of our earlier instruments. That instrument is no longer built, but this French Double is its successor. We are thinking of re-releasing the album at some point, but if you'd like to hear a couple of sample tracks, send me your email and I'll send them along.

[@sabathilandson]

No problem...I'm sure us video authors are more interested in the comments than our visitors are ;-) As long as you found the info. on the Weckmann piece, I'm happy!

[@Karlfalcon]

The different manuals play different sets of strings or pluck the strings at different points. This allows the player to switch back and forth between the manuals, or to even split the hands between them, so as to give more texture to the piece being played. Remember, a harpsichord action does not have anywhere near the dynamic range of a Pianoforte.

[@sabathilandson]

Each string is plucked by a plectrum (plastic or quill) attached to a jack which is raised by pressing a key. There's a great explanation with diagrams on Wikipedia...a Google search using the phrase "how harpsichord strings are plucked" will bring it up.

[@sabathilandson]

Thank you...glad you enjoyed it!

[@sabathilandson]

@Tenifus Yes, we've sold the last French Double in the series, but more instrument designs are in the works.

[@sabathilandson]

Thank you for your kind words! We build and sell them so others can experience the joy of playing them and having them in their homes :-)

[@devnation]

If I had the space to spare for such an instrument I would buy it of you, well played.

[@sabathilandson]

Thanks, Rich! You're right, I don't think video will ever do an instrument like this justice compared to seeing it in person. Would love to know more about the recording you have, as I've only ever heard this piece played by my father. All is well with me, thanks, and hope the same is true for you!

[@sabathilandson]

The first piece is part of a Suite by Matthias Weckmann. Check out the description section of the video for details on where you can purchase an album that includes this piece.

[@sabathilandson]

Glad you liked it! Check the video description section for more details on the first two pieces :-)

[@sabathilandson]

@musicwithvision Thanks so much, James! I will pass on your kind words to my father :)

[@sabathilandson]

Glad you liked our instrument! It is not uncommon for our clavichords and harpsichords to stay in tune for months at a time, and occasionally for years (yes, years!). You are welcome to buy one or three from us.

[@sabathilandson]

Thanks for the compliment! KZbin won't allow posting of pricing, etc on their site or emails, so please contact us through our website or email address, listed in the video's description section. Looking forward to hearing from you!

[@Takemyjobpleez]

I'd love to hear one of the 10 foot Bach models. Fascinating intruments.

[@Tenifus]

I'm guessing it probably got sold already.

[@sabathilandson]

I have searched high and low trying to figure out which suite it is from, but no luck. Your best bet is to purchase the CD (see description for link) and see if it provides the details. If you figure it out, would love you to come back and post the info here!

[@sabathilandson]

We don't build Lautenwerks, but it would be nice to see/hear one on video...

[@sabathilandson]

If you can play piano, you can play a harpsichord. The touch is different & you can't dynamically change the sound of a harpsichord by adjusting your touch in the way you do on a piano. With a harpsichord you must set the "stops" to brighten or dampen the sound and/or soften or harden the touch of the keys by adjusting how many sets of strings are plucked at one time. But again, the force on the strings remains constant, because the plucking action itself cannot be made "harder" or "softer".

[@mercoid]

Hi Barb! This harpsichord sounds lovely. I am sure video dosen't do the workmanship or sound any justice but the quality still shines through. I have a recording of the piece your father is playing here. I think it is either Kerll or Weckmann?? Hope all is well with you :)

[@sabathilandson]

Thanks for the compliments! Actually, shipping one of our harpsichords to Europe is quite reasonable...around three hundred fifty to five hundred dollars (plus taxes & duty), depending if you ship by ocean or air. Considering our instruments are built to last for decades with minimal maintenance and tuning, they're worth it!

[@sabathilandson]

Thanks...glad you liked it :-)

[@erdavis7]

I found what the first piece is! It is J.S. Bach BWV 924.

[@sergothdark]

fantastic

[@sabathilandson]

Glad you enjoy it so much :-)

[@notoncemoreagain]

I love the keys... so much nicer than the black keys. I would love to own one, how much are these? I doubt you give a price over youtube, but if you could, message me with the price. And what is the weight and standard freight cost? Would this include insurance? And can they be custom made?

[@sabathilandson]

The dimensions of our French Double are 7'8" long and 3'3" wide.

[@Yag0o]

thank you!

[@EllisMontes]

Did Bach transcribe the first piece as an exercise in the praeludium ex c BWV 924a? Very beautiful instrument

[@Pianodog]

If you can play piano how hard is it to learn to play one these? Cool sounding instrument

[@yourkindofjoe]

That last piece... What was it? I liked it alot! Please tell me...

[@emotionalboy89]

love the first piece.. there is anything of Matthias Weckmann recorded?

[@fsan2005]

Damm i love this sound, it really touches me much more than Piano

[@sabathilandson]

Not necessarily. With both harpsichords and pianos, it depends on a host of factors, including the make/maker, whether the instrument is new or used, etc, etc. My father is a philanthropist at heart, so Sabathil instruments are amongst the most reasonably priced in the world.

[@sabathilandson]

KZbin has restrictions on what one can post or email on this site (eg, URLs, prices, etc), so we invite you to visit our website listed in this video's description and contact us from there. We look forward to hearing from you!

[@sabathilandson]

@a1mint Now that's a creative interpretation ;-)

[@straypixel]

Am I being naive in thinking the tuning is rather eccentric in the first piece? I know a bit about temperaments - but being in A minor should the intervals not be 'purer'?

[@sabathilandson]

We occasionally have smaller instruments available. If you contact me at our email address listed in the video's description section, or follow us on Twitter, I can keep you up-to-date on our offerings.

[@sabathilandson]

We're not sure of the names of the last two pieces, as my father has been playing them for so long. He believes they are by Bach, although they are his own interpretations...

[@mattbod]

I would hae a clavichord or a harpsichord like this from you but I bet it costs the earth and ten shipping it from Canada to the U.K. I sounds better than the John Morley of London Harpsichord I heard recently and yes wha was the first piece?

[@cav0129]

how much would a harpsichord like this one cost??

[@Yag0o]

does anybody know the first piece that is played there?

[@Pianodog]

Are these cheaper or more expensive than a piano?

[@Russischespionin]

How much does this one cost?

[@saintandrews83]

How much is this one for ??

[@sabathilandson]

KZbin doesn't allow posting of prices, so feel free to contact us via email or our website (see video description section).

[@sabathilandson]

KZbin doesn't allow us to post prices here, so please feel free to contact us at our email address listed in the video description. Thanks!

[@sabathilandson]

Please see the video description section for more information on the pieces being played (they are not our own)...

[@LongDriveChamp03]

how long is that instrument?

[@sabathilandson]

I know what you mean...it has always had the same effect on me, even when I was a little girl and would lie underneath the harpsichord while my father played...

[@gfmgma]

how much?

[@DounyashaKosareva]

super!=D

[@greensmurf9623]

It's my dream to own a harpsichord. Some day

[@sabathilandson]

Somebody knows their latin ;-) The design for this instrument was conceived in 1980.

[@sabathilandson]

Not All Harpsichords Are Created Equal! The Pedal Harpsichord Is A Rarity These Days. Some Of My Father's Earlier Instruments Had Pedals, But His Current French Double Does Not.

[@fsan2005]

You are lucky, i have never seen a real harpsichord.

[@sabathilandson]

If you send me a note via KZbin with your email address, I'd be happy to send you some mp3 samples from a wonderful album recorded on one of our former Bach II (10') instruments, performed by harpsichordist James Bonn.

[@sabathilandson]

Nice explanation...thanks for pinch-hitting for me :-)

[@vegan.yogi.drummer]

This song is sooooooooooo sad ;_;, but btw, is soooooo pretty!! *0*, i love this song!

[@composer369]

You MUST have been talking with Bradley Lahman...

[@zzzxtreme]

awesome! ur father must be awesome too!

[@sabathilandson]

Please contact me at our email address posted in the video's description; KZbin won't allow emails containing prices, URLs, etc. Thanks!

[@sabathilandson]

@cody1800212 We ship worldwide, so no problem shipping it to NY. Our price is less than 1/3 of the French one you looked at. Drop me a line by email and I'll send you all the details.

[@Flatscores]

Me neither!

[@zzzxtreme]

didn't realize harpsichords can sound like guitar!

[@virginiaorganbuilder]

The 4' is out of tune in the beginning- not a temperament problem.

[@ChaconnesAreFun2Play]

It would be 'suite' if you would make a lute-harpsichord!

[@yourkindofjoe]

Thanks, I'll look into it. I might just drop guitar and get into playing 17th-18th century classical on Harpsichords. Hahah, maybe not. LOL thanks though... =]

[@Mrphilharmonic]

What a beautiful sounding beast!! Must be a bitch to keep in tune though!!

[@sabathilandson]

Sure you can, although it was written for piano, not harpsichord, so you won't be able to achieve the same nuances when performing the piece (eg, no pedals or sustain...)

[@UnrealK9999]

my dream's call harpsichord :(

[@chiquinarco55]

I wish I were rich so i could buy one :(

[@sabathilandson]

Hmmm...nope! Why do you say that?

[@sabathilandson]

Sigh...me too...

[@sabathilandson]

The first piece my father is playing is part of a Suite by Matthias Weckmann (1619-1674). There is a recording available on the Wildboar label called, Seventeenth Century German Harpsichord Music; The Stylus Phantasticus, performed by Edward Parmentier. I believe you can find it on Amazon. Enjoy!