Ryan Layne Whitney: Rameau — Allemande in A minor (on clavicytherium)

Jean-Philippe Rameau: Allemande in A minor, played on the Steven Sørli clavicytherium by Ryan Layne Whitney.

This is a clavicytherium, or upright harpsichord, and a lautenwerk, since it is fitted with synthetic gut strings. To find out more about this fine instrument and several others built by Steven Sørli, visit his web site at http://www.lautenwerk.com/index.htm --- look at the various instruments he builds, and listen to the excellent sound samples.

The strings of the instrument, as you will find when reading Mr. Sørli's web site, are mostly fluorocarbon, rather than real gut, with the bass octave strings of copper-wound nylon. It has one choir of 8' strings with a range of GG-d3. The total height is 81" and takes up only a 36" by 18" floor space.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• clavicytherium
• harpsichord
• Rameau
• Steven Sørli
• Sorli
• Classical Music

[FerencLiszt]

great instrument! And great playing!

[cembaloish]

I knew about the "upright harpsichord". Most accounts say they had problems with gravity, the jacks not dropping. I am delighted both by the playing and the soft sound of gut strings. Thanks for posting all these videos.

[Offshoreorganbuilder]

Many thanks.  Excellent.

[MrThomasPinch]

Thank you very much indeed for this New Year treat.

[thzrg]

Marvelous! Could you post some pictures of your clavicytherium? I didn't see it at the Sørli website.

[coolitnowjim]

this just happens to be my favorite allemande by rameau. thank you, ryan. i will write to you soon. i hope you're doing well.

[VonBlargh]

great way to start the year! 

[jessavikingwarrior]

Thank you for sharing such a lovely piece.

[sandyhackney]

Great instrument. Great music. Great playing. Thank you.

[regmonmusic]

Beautiful!