PLEYEL HARPSICHORD, Paris, 1948

The piano company Pleyel also successfully presented a harpsichord at the Paris Exposition of 1889. Around the turn of the century, the Polish pianist and Bach specialist Wanda Landowska settled in Paris. Just as Chopin was used by Pleyel as a reference for the piano, Wanda Landowska served as a poster child for the harpsichord. She advised Pleyel to make a new type of large harpsichord in 1912, namely the Pleyel Grand Modèle de concert. In 1923, in accordance with the piano, Pleyel added a metal frame to promote a stable pitch. 

Technical data:

• Inscription: on the nameboard : Erard Paris / Inside: Le jeu grave (dit pour les Anciens) -de 16 pieds- fut introdut dans Les Clavecins Pleyel à partir de l'année 1912 sur la demande & les suggestions de Wanda Landowska
• Compass: two 5 octave keyboards (FF-f''')
• Keyboard: naturals in ivory , sharps in ebony
• Registers: lower manual 16', 8', 4' / upper manual 8' or 8' nazard, lute to 8' and luth to 8' nazard
• Dimensions: L 248 cm / W 107 cm
• Case: mahogany
• Serial number: 88636
• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 47 199
• Condition: playing condition
• Location: 2 - Museum "Chris Maene Collection" Ruiselede