Det ældste bevarede danske cembalo

Abstract

The oldest surviving Danish harpsichord is one built in 1770 by Moritz Georg Moshack (ca. 1730-1772), who came to Denmark about 1759 and was granted the privilege of organ-builder and instrument-maker 5 June, 1761. He was one of the best instrument makers of his time in Denmark and he provided instruments to the Court, the theatre and to certain leading musicians. In addition to the surviving harpsichord, two clavichords are known to be his handiwork and all three instruments give evidence of a skilled and refined craftsman, whose instrument-building closely approximates that of the north-German school. The harpsichord which has survived is atypical for its time inasmuch as it has only one manual, two 8' stops and a lute stop, yet it is of such a size that one would have expected both an additional manual and a 4' stop. The harpsichord's special construction, with a lightly weighted sound-board, has given it a great resonance. Since one has been restricted to a very limited registration on the instrument, and since its exterior is simple, entirely painted in one colour, there is really only one particular function for which it seems perfectly suited, namely as continuo-instrument in an orchestra pit. It seems an obvious thought that the harpsichord was especiaIly ordered by the Royal Theatre for use in the orchestra pit for the Italian operas which were being performed at that time under Sarti's direction. In an attempt to prove this hypothesis an extensive investigation of the archives was undertaken, which, however, was unfortunately able neither to prove or disprove it. The article can as a whole be regarded as a demonstration of studies of material from the latter part of the 18th century in Danish archives.