Early Keyboard Instruments: The Benton Fletcher Collection at Fenton House - Softcover

Waitzman, Mimi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0707803535 ISBN 13: 9780707803531

Publisher: National Trust, 1999

Synopsis

Since 1952 Fenton House in Hampstead, London, has been home to one of the most important collections of early keyboard instruments in Europe. Cared for by the National Trust, the collection was assembled during the early decades of the twentieth century by George Henry Benton Fletcher, a man of extraordinary vision. An ardent advocate of the value of playing early music on period instruments, Benton Fletcher created a unique salon at his London home and made his instruments available to music societies and students for tuition, concerts and other cultural events.
After evacuation from London during the Second World War, the Benton Fletcher Collection returned to the capital and now comprises nineteen instruments, including harpsichords, spinets, virginals, clavichords and pianos. Together these provide a fascinating account of the history of the keyboard family. Several of the instruments are ornately decorated and many are extremely rare.
In this book, the first to look in detail at the collection, curator Mimi Waitzman traces the history of this outstanding group of instruments, assessing their importance and the significance of Benton Fletcher's legacy. Each instrument is considered in turn and presented with illustrations, historical information and technical details. The actions of the different types of instruments are also explained, both in the text and with scale drawings.

About this title

Synopsis

The Benton Fletcher collection is a unique selection of early keyboard instruments comprising of harpsichords, spinets and virginals, clavichords and pianos. Considering its small size this collection includes a remarkable selection of extremely rare 16th- or early 17th-century Italian examples along with rare 17th-century English virginals. The instruments range from the elegantly simple to the exquisitely extravagant. The three English pianos in the collection reflect both in structure and action some of the important stages in the piano's development. Fenton House was one of the very few places where original keyboard instruments could be heard and played and remains so today. The unusual and beautiful collection housed there traces the complicated transition from harpsichord to pianoforte in England. Written primarily for the non-specialist visitor, this text contains significant examples of authentic early keyboard instruments.

Edition details

• Publisher: National Trust
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0707803535
• ISBN 13: 9780707803531
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128