Haydn: Adagio from Sonata #44 Hob. XVI/29 on Clavichord

[tastogiusto]

sehr schön

[SFChristo]

Ah, thanks for showing me that vibrato comes from the wrist - like a 'cello.

[JLeeGraham]

@SFChristo That's just one way to do it. Some others do it by varying the pressure on the key vertically rather than the way I do it, which as a string player comes most naturally to me. I also prefer the way it sounds my way.

[grafpleyel]

Thank you! Discounting mentioned shortcomings (instrument's condition before restoration) this is really well shaped and enjoyable performance!

[JLeeGraham]

Coming from you, that's an especially generous compliment! I'm honoured. I'm not everything I'd like to be technically, but I do try to make music. Cheers!

[JLeeGraham]

Hello! No, there is no damping felt on the right side of the bridge...not sure if there ever was any. What there is to the left of tangents is very much in need of replacement. I'm looking forward to hearing how this instruments sounds when refurbished - still trying to secure the services of a professional to help. Thanks for the comment.

[FernandRaynaud]

Wonderful. Thank you. The listing board gives an interesting tone. I have a zuckermann clavichord III and love it. Do you have damping felt on the strings on the right side of the bridge? I sometimes use it, and sometimes let the strings "ring" sympathetically -- very different sound.

[paulsausten]

I so much enjoyed this video. I have a loathing of music written for earlier instruments being played on a modern piano, and your performance brought out the clarity of sound of Haydn. I loved the rich bass notes especially! Paul

[JLeeGraham]

Thanks so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it. I'm with you on the "loathing" part; I never play anything written before 1805 on a modern instrument. Just doesn't sound right to me. Only clavichord, harpsichord or fortepiano as appropriate. I'd extend my mania to late Beethoven, Schubert and even Mendelssohn if I had the right instrument. Maybe someday.

[BillBC]

love the bebung...

[JLeeGraham]

Thanks. Had to teach myself. Luckily, I play stringed instruments, so vibrato technique was not a foreign concept as it would be for most keyboardists.

[BillBC]

I played a clavichord for years...a Zuckermann kit that I built...lovely instrument...the bebung seemed quite natural, once someone points it out to you. I'm surprised more players don't seem to use it...that's why I commented on your use of it

[wolfgang7445]

Thats a rather, "bulky" instrument, kind of shows how the early music restoration went...Your playing was very nice, the clivichord is very difficult to play, it is very sensitive to the touch

[JLeeGraham]

It is a bit klunky, isn't it? It sounds a bit like a Hungarian cymbalom at times. At present it's extremely difficult to keep in tune, and it's missing both strings on D''' (as I'm sure you could hear). Still, it's a joy to play, and even a lovely thing to look at in my home. I'm looking forward to bringing it back to what it once may have been.

[wolfgang7445]

Yeah, I still think this is a cool instrument. Not manyt people stop and think that there wasnt just a harpsichord revival going on, but it was in fact a revival of early music in general.