Artus Gheerdinck
Artus Gheerdinck (1564–1624) was a Dutch harpsichord builder.
Gheerdinck lived and worked in Amsterdam, where he was appointed carillonneur of the Oude Kerk (Old Church) in 1595.[1] This was the same time period that Sweelinck was organist there. Gheerdinck had a workshop in an attic space at the church, and tuned both the church’s organs.[2] There was also a Harmanus Gheerdinck living in Amsterdam in the mid-1600s, but his relation (if any) to Artus is unknown.[3] Harmanus was also a harpsichord builder.[3]
A single instrument by Artus Gheerdinck survives, a rectangular virginal. It has the range C/E – c´´´ (four octaves), and is currently housed in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum in Nuremberg, Germany (Inventory No. MINe 95).
O’Brien believes that a harpsichord attributed to Hans Ruckers may actually be by Artus Gheerdinck.[4] Though its present range is C—c´´´, its original range was C/E—c´´´.[5] It is currently in the Germanisches Nationalmuseum (Inventory No. MINe 84).
Discography[edit]
- Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck: Organ & Keyboard Music. Siegbert Rampe. MDG 341 1256-2. Dabringhaus und Grimm, 2004
- Peter Philips: Complete Organ & Keyboard Works. Vol. 1. Siegbert Rampe. MDG 341 1257-2. Dabringhaus und Grimm, 2005
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- Boalch, D.: Makers of the Harpsichord and Clavichord 1440-1840. Third edition, ed. Charles Mould. Clarendon Press, 1995
- O’Brien, G.: Ruckers: A Harpsichord and Virginal Building Tradition. Cambridge University Press, 1990
External links[edit]
- Gheerdinck’s virginal is illustrated here.
- Further information on this instrument, including a sound sample, may be found here.
- Georg Ott built an instrument based on Gheerdinck’s virginal.
- J.C. Neupert also offers a virginal based on Gheerdinck’s.
- The harpsichord attributed to Hans Ruckers, but which may be by Gheerdinck, is described and illustrated here.