harpsichord

Largest and grandest of the 18th-century keyboard instruments, used in orchestras and as a solo instrument. The strings are plucked by ‘jacks’, made of leather or quill, when the keys are pressed. However, unlike the piano, the volume and tone cannot be varied by the player's touch. In the 18th century double-manual (two keyboard) harpsichords were developed (and later three-manuals), which offered greater variation in tone. The revival of the harpsichord repertoire in the 20th century owed much to Wanda Landowska and Ralph Kirkpatrick (1911-84).

In classical orchestral music, such as that of George Handel or Joseph Haydn, the harpsichord often has a continuo part improvised over a figured bass.

Harpsichords have to be tuned regularly, and may have their tuning system (temperament ) adjusted according to the repertoire. Famous makers of harpsichords include the English Kirckman and the Flemish Ruckers families. A modern repertoire has developed for the concert harpsichord, with concertos by Elliott Carter (1961), Manuel de Falla (1926), Frank Martin (1952), Bohuslav Martinu (1935), and Continuum for solo harpsichord by György Ligeti (1968).