Soundiron Harpsichord

An 18th Century Italian Bizzi Harpsichord.

The Harpsichord, a keyboard sensation from the 16th to mid 18th century, once ruled European music. This versatile instrument was a star in both Renaissance and Baroque compositions, shining both as an accompanist and a soloist. Distinctive in design, harpsichords typically boasted two or more sets of strings, each producing unique tones. The sound was amplified by a soundboard beneath the strings, which transmitted vibrations through a bridge. The strings were plucked with quills rather than struck with hammers, so a key could only produce one velocity. Harpsichords flourished across Europe, with production centers in Italy, Flanders, France, Germany, and England. These instruments varied in configuration, featuring different keyboard setups, foot pedals, and hand stops. Their cases were often exquisite works of art, adorned with inlays, paintings, and intricate surface decorations. The harpsichord's plucked strings offered a rich, clear sound that enriched the complex melodies of Baroque music. Nearly every Baroque composer wrote for the harpsichord, whether as a soloist or in continuo.