Harpsichord after Mietke 1710
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The Mietke harpsichord is based on one made by Michael Mietke in Berlin in 1710. This single manual instrument was only discovered in the 1990s, and is now in the Hudiksvall museum in Sweden. The compass is somewhat larger than the original with nearly 5 octaves, GG to e’’’, with snake-wood naturals and solid bone sharps. There are two 8foot registers. The case is made of walnut, stained black with gold bands on the mouldings. The linings, nameboard and music desk are cypress, giving an attractive contrast between inside and outside. The stand is partly based on the original but partly my own recreation of a rococo stand appropriate to the period of the instrument. The brassware is all copied from Mietke’s originals.
This harpsichord has a large and fairly quickly speaking sound. The bass is rich but not overpowering, and the treble characterful and singing, and well balanced with the rest of the instrument. It is suitable for a wide variety of repertoire, especially J.S.Bach, who ordered a Mietke harpsichord for the court at Cöthen in 1719.
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