CHRIS MAENE FRENCH HARPSICHORD, RUISELEDE, 2007

REPLICA JOSEPH COLLESSE, LYON, 1755

The French developed the Flemish harpsihord during the 18th century to a very high degree of perfection. The so called "French double-manual harpsichord" with five octaves FF-f3, the disposition 2 x 8' - 1 x 4'- buff, shove coupler, stop levers, leather-covered registers and their variety of decorations, has been considered as the ultimate harpsichords and was praised throughout Europe. 

Many harpsichord builders, such as Blanchet, Taskin, Hemsch, Goermans, Goujon and hundreds of others came to the French capital and established from Paris the centre of European harpsichord building. 

After Paris, Lyon was the only other city to support a harpsichord building centre. The principal builders in Lyon were the Collesse brothers, Kroll and Donzelague. The Collesse brothers, as well as their father Jacques, were both builders and performers. The Chris Maene French double harpsichord is built after the Joseph Collesse harpsichord in the "Musée de la Musique" in Paris. 

 

 

Technical data:

• Inscription: CHRIS MAENE ME FECIT ANNO XXVII
• Compass: 5 octaves and 2 notes (FF-g''')
• Keyboard: naturals in ebony, sharps in bone
• Registers: Lower manual 8' - 4' / upper manual 8', lute to 8' / manual coupler
• Dimensions: L 240 cm / W 100 cm
• Case: dark green with gilded decorated panels and stand, inside painting on the lid
• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 67 506
• Condition: perfect playing condition
• Location: 3 - Museum headquarters "Piano's Maene" Ruiselede