Claviorganum

Herman Willenbrock

1712 · wood, various materials · Musical Instruments

German harpsichords are extremely rare. This example by Herman Willenbrock is the only known instrument from this North German maker and includes both a harpsichord and organ (only the harpsichord is shown). The organ is played from the lower keyboard manual. This instrument was possibly made for George I and may have been known by Handel who visited the court in 1712. Technical description: Two-manual harpsichord on replacement stand supporting one rank of wood pipes immediately below harpsichord and bellows across stretchers below; C (no. C#)-c3, 2x8' & 1x4' harpsichord registers and coupler; pinblock, nuts, pins, guides, jacks, ribs, bottom new in 1939 (former piano action removed); case exterior decorated with perhaps Dutch chinoiserie, lid interior shows oil landscape with Schulenberg Castle.

Artist

Herman Willenbrock

Date

1712

Medium

wood, various materials

Culture

German

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

The Crosby Brown Collection of Musical Instruments, 1889