The Claviharp, a New Instrument
The Claviharp is a 21st century instrument that expresses a sense of connection with instruments and music of past centuries while speaking to musical and practical needs of contemporary musicians.
-Like the 19th century Dietz claviharp, it is a harp that is played from a keyboard.
-Like 17th and 18th century clavicytheria, it reduces its demand for floor space by running its strings vertically rather than horizontally. In goes even further by hanging on a wall and by using a keyboard design that minimizes the extension of the keyboard out from the instrument.
-Like the clavichord, its action has a minimal number of working parts, encouraging a feeling of close connection between the fingers and the strings. The plucking action is accomplished with soft “mouse ear” plectra, giving a warm, simple sound rather than the sharp pluck of harpsichord plectra. The instrument can be strung with either fluorocarbon or steel strings.
The range of four octaves and a note will play virtually all of the harpsichord repertoire of the Rennaissance and early baroque eras, as well as almost all of the harpsichord and clavichord music of J.S. Bach and much of the music of Scarlatti and Soler. Many of Haydn’s early keyboard sonatas fit well on the claviharp.
The Claviharp is a personal instrument, with a dynamic range from ppp to mp. The sound quality is gentle and calming, similar to a harp or lute plucked with the fingertips and not with fingernails. It is an ideal instrument for early morning and late evening playing. Like the clavichord, the sense of connection with the strings evokes a quietly intentional touch of the keys, focusing the player and making it a very effective practice instrument. While louder than a clavichord, it is quiet enough to not disturb others in the house.
The Claviharp came about after several years of prototypes inspired by the Dietz claviharp, but with the goal of being much smaller and simpler. Early in 2023 I made the first successful “mouse ear” plectra which made possible an action with a key length of about 8 inches. Further refined simplification over the year gave the Claviharp a dependable, easily regulated action.
On a recent visit Caroline Polito performed an Allemande by Handel, demonstrating the sound qualities of the steel strung and flourocarbon strung instruments.
Ed Sutton June 2024
