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New harpsichord for the Iraqi National Symphony
Orchestra.
Claviers Baroques is involved in the rebuilding of Iraq. Yes, really!
We have offered to build them a new Canadian
Single harpsichord to replace their harpsichord which was destroyed
in April of 2003. Den felt so bad when he saw the picture that he said,
"Let's make them a new one." And so we are. Here is a brief
status report:
- Background -- what got us started on this project?
The photo at right and a radio interview with members of the Iraqui
National Symphony Orchestra, both by WBUR's
Dick Gordon on location in Baghdad for NPR.
- Work Order 464
-- arranged through the agency of American Friends Service Committee
(AFSC)
- Friends and contributors:
in addition to the help and support of the AFSC, we
have received some unexpected but very welcome financial contributions.
Other people have told us they'd like to get involved, too, so we have
made up a special page to keep track.
- Wood -- Status January 1, 2004: The acquisition of
materials is going well. So far we have perhaps half of the basswood
required for the inner case. We have already set aside sufficient wood
for jacks, tongues, bridges and nuts, soundboard and soundbars; keyboard,
arcades and keytops. We'll keep our eyes open for casewood, either poplar
for a painted case or a nice wood for a natural finish -- still deciding
on which. Pictures to come.
- Keyboard and action (includes jacks) -- Status January
1, 2004: Wood acquired. Preparation, planing, jackmaking, etc. is ongoing.
Pictures to come.
- Inner case (includes soundboard) -- Status
January 1, 2004: Most of the wood acquired. Preparation, planing, etc.
is ongoing. We made a bentside for this one when we made the bentsides
for Guy,
Morphine and Ivan. Pictures
to come.
- Outer case -- Status January 1, 2004: Still
deciding whether a natural finish or a painted case would be more practical
for students and in a dry climate, other considerations? Once that's
settled we'll start acquiring the wood. We may post some samples and/or
sketches before that, too.
- Misc: Lid and flap, hinges, propstick, music desk and stand,
wire, pins, etc. Status January 1, 2004: We probably have most of this
stuff, or at least the wood, pins and wire. We'll check re hinges, etc.
closer to the time.
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Photo of the day...
The INSO's old harpsichord.
-- Photo by Dick Gordon of WBUR
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