English grand pianos

Marcus Tuscher: Familienportrait Shudi; Broadwood Trust
Marcus Tuscher: Familienportrait Shudi; Broadwood Trust

This family portrait by the painter Marcus Tuscher in 1745 shows the founder of the oldest piano manufacturer in existence Burckhardt Tschudi (1702-1773; anglisized Burkat Shudi) tuning a harpsichord, probably made for Frederic II of Prussia. He was born in Schwanden, canton Glarus, and had moved to London in 1718. In 1728  he opened his own workshop.

In 1761 the scot John Broadwood (1732-1812) joined as apprentice and soon proved himself one of the best workers. After he married Shudi's daughter Barbara he became a partner, after 1771 owner of the firm, from since under his name.

 

A considerable sum of inventions and innovation in keyboard making is linked to Shudi and Broadwood like the Venetian swell in 1769 for harpsichord  (today adapted to organs); about the same time John Broadwood cooperated with William Stodart and Americus Backers to develop the „English action“ for piano.

Hammerfllügel, Modell "elegant" von Broadwood & Sons 
Hammerfllügel, Modell "elegant" von Broadwood & Sons

Broadwood's business records are among the most important sources to show the slow transgression from harpsichord to piano. From 1783 on the piano sales overtook harpsichord sales.  In 1793 Broadwood delivered, as every year, a harpsichord to St James’s Palace for the performance of the birthday ode for the king. While at rehearsal the harpsichord was used yet, for the performance a piano was ordered. In the same year Broadwood probably built his last harpsichord (today Edinburgh, Russell Collection).

The piano in England began its way to concert halls and private homes in form of the square piano, but soon Broadwood as well as the firm Collard & Collard (later Clementi) started producing grand pianos, at first looking not unlike harpsichords apart from having a single manual invariably. Joseph Merlin in 1774 (aside from inventing the dirigible wheelchair and the roller skate) invented a combination instrument uniting harpsichord and piano in one.

 

Only when towards 1800 harpsichord building declined piano making took an independent path. The hammers were made bigger and heavier, the tension of the strings increased considerably and the frames strengthened.

 
 
 

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