I really enjoy both versions! I like the sombre and refined nature of the first version... while the version on the fretted clavichord has a rustic quality that is also very endearing. I'm glad to have both to listen to.
The contrast between the two instruments is well demonstrated. Both performances are delightful, but they are such different instruments, not so much through the fretting, so much as sheer size. The Saxon style clavichord has a more lasting timbre throughout.....particularly in the bass. Whereas the smaller clavichord has less "weight" in the bass, and consequently the piece is more inclined to be heard "blended", than,as on Joris's instrument, gloriously "separated". Also I felt for you ! the altar table was not high enough for you, so you had to stoop throughout. Thank you for giving us so clear and sublime a contrast !
Normally the listening ear starts with a distance. Increasingly the realizing ear takes just a second to let the sound in. Then half a second. THEN real-time lissening. Then the ear becomes the playing itselve , the feeling and touché, .....as you go in to it you become the player in a rollercoaster. This is what time does when played so INTO the music. ....thank you ! What an organic and BEAUTIFUL playing on the clavichord , which is so beautiful and adventurous itself.
Truely sweet and lovely Mr. Winters, thank you for the video, sometimes I wish there were more harpsichordists on youtube like you, but alas. You can really hear the difference between the two instruments, I think I'll find it quite hard to decide which one sounds better😅.
I enjoyed hearing both versions very much. That is a cool church. I liked that you showed it to us. I hoped that your back was ok since you had to slightly bend to play the portable clavichord on the table. Thank you for sharing this video.
I somehow like the earlier version in the Church. The sound of the instrument is for me a bit more rustic and points backwards towards harpsichords, whereas the second version done on an instrument that has richer tones (this appears to my ears that way), this instrument seems to point forward to the forte piano. Great to hear the two versions side by side. And of course the Pachelbel ain't so bad, either.
Very nice! I agree with the other comments Pachelbel's works sound really, really sweet on your big clavichord. The fretted clavichord makes the music sound much, much older than it is in comparison.
An interesting comparison, Wim! Besides fretted and unfretted, there is a difference in case resonance, string material, scale & temperament between the two instruments. I will hazard a guess that the Clarke instrument is entirely strung in brass, hence its "flexible" sound; whereas the Potvlieghe looks to have iron, brass & bronze strings, although this is difficult to tell from a video. I recall my surprise on hearing how much sound a small fretted clavichord can produce. Clear, articulate playing goes a long way to sorting out polyphony on any keyboard instrument, and that never is a problem when you play. I look forward to the release of your Hexachordum recording with great anticipation.
I tried to understand why - contrary to all sense, taste and love of sound - I preferred the fretted one, and honestly, I didn't understand myself... what is there in this little one that I liked so much? I really don't know. After hearing this delightful upload several times, I came to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, I'm for the 'underdog' - but being more serious now: I assume that you were more concentrated on the piece itself and the producing of 'safe' sound, than enjoying the sound of the unfretted one, thus 'dreamingly' resting a little bit more on some notes more than needed (to the whole piece). Either way - both performances proved that you are a very good player and you have an intimate sensitive contact and adjust yourself to each instrument before you. Bravo!
Amazing - again! A performance that is truly medicina dolorum. Which version to prefer... is just so much a matter of taste as to be almost impossible to debate. Perhaps more appropriate would be to ask to hear (were it possible) the same piece on organ and harpsichord...
The second instrument is a fretted clavichord. A fretted clavichord has fewer strings due to more than one note sharing the same pair of strings. How the clavichord works: A small metal plate called a tangent is placed on the end of the keys. The metal plate serves two purpose: 1) When the key is depressed, the metal plate is pushed up against the strings and that determines the pitch, and 2) produces the sound. The felt strip woven into strings on the back side of the tangents keeps the back side to the hitch-pins from making unwanted noise, and also helps with a bit of pressure so the strings are tighter against the bridge to make the tone a bit louder. Keeping this in mind, the fretted clavichord uses the same principles of the unfretted clavichord described above, but to reduce the number of strings and make the instrument smaller, multiple keys can share a single pair of strings. A performers playing on a fretted clavichord are unable to play complex music and chords because only one tangent can strike the strings at a time. Historically the unfretted clavichord is older. It wasn't until the mid-1740s (they say 1743-45) that clavichords were unfretted. This is due to the music becoming more complex, meaning the demand for more chords and the music becoming more complex - think of the later composers Mozart, Haydn, and their contemporaries.
I’d like to request a video (if it has already been made, I apologize) on where to get a good clavichord, what to consider, etc. Since I’ve started watching your videos, I’ve fallen in love with this instrument - but they seem to be very difficult to come by! They seem to either line up on instruments that are defunct or incredibly expensive with steep wait times. What are your thoughts?
Maybe you should have showed the fretted clavichord first: its fragile sound and uncertain tuning suffer from the comparison with your usual instrument :)
it would make sense indeed, it was a last-minute decision since I had the recording. So the newer one is first. I like this one on the fretted very much in fact, was refreshing to hear it back!
I really enjoy both versions! I like the sombre and refined nature of the first version... while the version on the fretted clavichord has a rustic quality that is also very endearing. I'm glad to have both to listen to.
The contrast between the two instruments is well demonstrated. Both performances are
delightful, but they are such different instruments, not so much through the fretting, so much
as sheer size. The Saxon style clavichord has a more lasting timbre throughout.....particularly
in the bass. Whereas the smaller clavichord has less "weight" in the bass, and consequently
the piece is more inclined to be heard "blended", than,as on Joris's instrument, gloriously
"separated". Also I felt for you ! the altar table was not high enough for you, so you had to stoop throughout. Thank you for giving us so clear and sublime a contrast !
Normally the listening ear starts with a
distance.
Increasingly the realizing ear takes just a second to let the sound in.
Then half a second.
THEN real-time lissening.
Then the ear becomes the playing itselve , the feeling and touché,
.....as you go in to it
you become the player in a rollercoaster.
This is what time does when played so
INTO the music.
....thank you !
What an organic and BEAUTIFUL playing on the clavichord , which
is so beautiful and adventurous itself.
Thanks, was nice reading
The fretted one, it sounds so... rustic. So renaissance. Like echoes of a bygone age. I think it helps capture the feel of the piece very much.
I'd love to be a book on your shelf. I would just sit silently, and still, and listen to you play.
I would give you a chair ...and a coffee! Thank you for the lovely words
I second Matthew's sentiment; it would be rather delightful to simply sit in your music room
and listen to play your lovely sounding clavichord (s).
I do not always listen to Pachebel's compositions, but when I do, it excites me. About the two versions I can not decide which one I liked the most
We sometimes forget there most of the time is no need to choose! thanks for listening!
Beautiful.
Such perfectly satisfying tempi and touching expression.
Well played Wim ..i really enjoyed listening ..Thanks
thanks Mike
Thank you
Excellent counterpoint-study material! Sometimes one finds it easy to forget about composers other than Father Bach... !
Much appreciate Wim,
~~~~
The triple time section is fascinating.
It is (and actually hard to get it right)!
Truely sweet and lovely Mr. Winters, thank you for the video, sometimes I wish there were more harpsichordists on youtube like you, but alas. You can really hear the difference between the two instruments, I think I'll find it quite hard to decide which one sounds better😅.
thanks
I prefer the sound your unfretted clavichord, but the fretted version is charming too.
I enjoyed hearing both versions very much. That is a cool church. I liked that you showed it to us. I hoped that your back was ok since you had to slightly bend to play the portable clavichord on the table. Thank you for sharing this video.
thanks Joseph! My back survived :)
I somehow like the earlier version in the Church. The sound of the instrument is for me a bit more rustic and points backwards towards harpsichords, whereas the second version done on an instrument that has richer tones (this appears to my ears that way), this instrument seems to point forward to the forte piano. Great to hear the two versions side by side. And of course the Pachelbel ain't so bad, either.
superb
Very nice! I agree with the other comments Pachelbel's works sound really, really sweet on your big clavichord. The fretted clavichord makes the music sound much, much older than it is in comparison.
An interesting comparison, Wim! Besides fretted and unfretted, there is a difference in case resonance, string material, scale & temperament between the two instruments. I will hazard a guess that the Clarke instrument is entirely strung in brass, hence its "flexible" sound; whereas the Potvlieghe looks to have iron, brass & bronze strings, although this is difficult to tell from a video. I recall my surprise on hearing how much sound a small fretted clavichord can produce. Clear, articulate playing goes a long way to sorting out polyphony on any keyboard instrument, and that never is a problem when you play. I look forward to the release of your Hexachordum recording with great anticipation.
thanks Gregory! and the equipment & room make up for much diff as
well!
I tried to understand why - contrary to all sense, taste and love of sound - I preferred the fretted one, and honestly, I didn't understand myself... what is there in this little one that I liked so much? I really don't know. After hearing this delightful upload several times, I came to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, I'm for the 'underdog' - but being more serious now: I assume that you were more concentrated on the piece itself and the producing of 'safe' sound, than enjoying the sound of the unfretted one, thus 'dreamingly' resting a little bit more on some notes more than needed (to the whole piece). Either way - both performances proved that you are a very good player and you have an intimate sensitive contact and adjust yourself to each instrument before you. Bravo!
I can't decide which of the versions I like better - but since I really don't have to, that's fine.
Wonderful. Personally, I prefer the version on the fretted clavichord.
Amazing - again! A performance that is truly medicina dolorum. Which version to prefer... is just so much a matter of taste as to be almost impossible to debate. Perhaps more appropriate would be to ask to hear (were it possible) the same piece on organ and harpsichord...
thanks for sharing your thoughts John
Ah yes, I remember that little cute clavichord! Sounds "ancient" compared to your Potvlieghe, but charming in a different way.
It's like Bach playing Pachelbel :0
that's what I call a compliment!
beautiful!
I love the Hexachordum Apollinis. Very good work.
So, the second instrument are not a Virginal?
it's a fretted clavichord, you'll find info on the channel, search for Clarke clavichord
The second instrument is a fretted clavichord. A fretted clavichord has fewer strings due to more than one note sharing the same pair of strings.
How the clavichord works: A small metal plate called a tangent is placed on the end of the keys. The metal plate serves two purpose: 1) When the key is depressed, the metal plate is pushed up against the strings and that determines the pitch, and 2) produces the sound. The felt strip woven into strings on the back side of the tangents keeps the back side to the hitch-pins from making unwanted noise, and also helps with a bit of pressure so the strings are tighter against the bridge to make the tone a bit louder.
Keeping this in mind, the fretted clavichord uses the same principles of the unfretted clavichord described above, but to reduce the number of strings and make the instrument smaller, multiple keys can share a single pair of strings. A performers playing on a fretted clavichord are unable to play complex music and chords because only one tangent can strike the strings at a time.
Historically the unfretted clavichord is older. It wasn't until the mid-1740s (they say 1743-45) that clavichords were unfretted. This is due to the music becoming more complex, meaning the demand for more chords and the music becoming more complex - think of the later composers Mozart, Haydn, and their contemporaries.
Does anyone have the English translation of the 1699 edition preface?
Somebody has the translated preface of the Hexachordum Apollinis?
Which original antique instrument is the small fretted clavichord based on? 😁
I’d like to request a video (if it has already been made, I apologize) on where to get a good clavichord, what to consider, etc. Since I’ve started watching your videos, I’ve fallen in love with this instrument - but they seem to be very difficult to come by! They seem to either line up on instruments that are defunct or incredibly expensive with steep wait times. What are your thoughts?
I would take my time to visit some good builders and would not rush things!
Wim, wich urtext organ/harpsichord/clavichord books editions do you recommend? (and why?)
Why in the variation 4 it says 24/16 if its clearly 12/8?
Good question... probably - thinking out loud here- to emphasize the 16th's more as individual notes?
Maybe you should have showed the fretted clavichord first: its fragile sound and uncertain tuning suffer from the comparison with your usual instrument :)
it would make sense indeed, it was a last-minute decision since I had the recording. So the newer one is first. I like this one on the fretted very much in fact, was refreshing to hear it back!
Does anyone have the English translation of the 1699 edition preface?