German harpsichord Mietke
German harpsichord Mietke, Berlin 1700
German harpsichord Mietke (decorated version)
German harpsichord (version in natural wood)
German harpsichord Mietke (version Facsimile)
The original of this instrument belonged to Frederick the Great (and is still today located in the castle of Charlottenburg in Berlin), who employed C.P.E. Bach. Carl Philipp’s father, Johann Sebastian, used this instrument to perform his Musical Offering.
Johann Sebastian probably contacted Mietke personally to commission some instruments, providing instructions for their construction.
This instrument, ideal for the Bach repertoire, has a warm and intimate timbre, well balanced between bass and treble (hence ideal for the delineation of voices in contrapuntal writing).
Upon request it can be built with a natural wood case (cherry or walnut).
- Original: Michael Mietke, Berlin about 1700
- Dimensions: cm. 234 x 98 x 29
- Compass: FF-f3 (61 notes)
- Disposition: two keyboards, with shove coupler, 8′8′4′, lute
- Pitch: a = 415 Hz, transposable +/- one semitone (440/392 Hz)
- Materials: case in lime, bottom and soundboard in spruce (from Val di Fiemme), keyboards in spruce covered with ebony and bone, registers and bridges in beech, jacks in service.
- Decoration: one or two-colors painted case, with gilded bands or decoration.
- Stand with four turned legs. Lid with lock.
- Price
Listen to this instrument:
J.S. Bach “Sonate for violine and harpsichord, Allegro” -
Andrea Marcon