
Three years ago, this Foundation gifted a concert grand Bluthner piano to The National Gallery in order to revive the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts. Since then several international pianists have performed including Imogen Cooper and Anne Queffelec. At the time of the inaugural concert the Foundation suggested that for baroque music a harpsichord might be more appropriate and once discussed we proposed commissioning an instrument to donate to the Gallery. After much research it was decided that the most appropriate instrument would be an English Kirkman. This was commissioned from Mario del Grosso in Genoa, Italy.
Since accurate detailed drawings were not available the task was complex, laborious and slow. Much assistance and advice were obtained from Huw Saunders in London whom, as chance would have it, was in the process of completing a similar instrument. Much time was spent in sourcing authentic materials. The veneers were hand chosen, the brass fittings ordered from Traditional Brassware and bone substituted ivory for the keys. The harpsichord is modelled on a 1786 Kirkman double manual instrument. It will be shipped to London by the end of November.
The inaugural concert will be at The National Gallery on December 13th at 7pm. The musician will be Katarzyna Kowalik. A CV is attached as a PDF if you click the PDF symbol below.
The programme for the concert is as follows:-
BENEDETTO MARCELLO
Cantabile op.4 (5.20)
DOMENICO SCARLATTI
Sonata in C major K 159 (2.30)
Sonata in A major K 208 (4min)
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
The Italian Concerto (13 minutes)
HENRY PURCELL
Suite no.1 Z660. (3.30)
GEORGE FRIEDERIC HANDEL
Prelude
Air and variations “Harmonious Blacksmith”
from the Harpsichord Suite No. 5 in E major (7min)
FRANCOIS COUPERIN
Les Barricades Mysterieuses
Le Reveil Matin
PANCRACE ROYER
L’Aimable
Le Vertigo (7.30)