Stockholm Clavier

... is the name of a type of clavichord (and forte-piano) built in Sweden in the 18th century They have a width of about two meters and are about 6o cm deep. Normally they have a compass of five-and-a-half octaves, were unfretted, double-strung throughout with an added 4' choir for the bass. Clavichords of these dimensions were made only in Sweden and mainly in the 18th century. They were very popular, were built in great numbers and were even exported to Finland and northern Germany. Extensively used well into the 19th century, the last one was built as late as 1832.

Many of these clavichords have survived, restored to playability. Through its large body, its corpus, the Swedish clavichord has rather more volume of sound than its classical European counterpart, but still retains the dynamic capabilities that have always been the advantage of the clavichord over the harpsichord. It can be assumed that the clavichord was played as much as the harpsichord in 18th century Sweden. Towards the end of the century the clavichord probably was the preferred domestic keyboard instrument, and a musical evening in the Stockholm of this period may well have sounded as on this recording.

Inger Grudin: original Rosenau clavichord 1778, and original Lindholm clavichord 1799

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