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Colt Clavier Collection

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The Colt Clavier Collection is a collection of historical keyboard instruments located in Bethersden, Kent, England. Consisting mostly of 18th and 19th-century pianos, it also includes a few harpsichords and a few unusual keyboards which defy standard categorization. It has been considered one of the most important collections of historically important instruments in the world.

Location

Scope and importance of collection

The collection consists mainly of pianos (forte-pianos), but also includes harpsichords.[1][2] The Colt Collection contains the largest single accumulation of Broadwood pianos.[3] The oldest specimen dates to 1775, with the most recent instrument dating to the late 19th-century. Consisting in excess of 130 instruments, the collection is one of the largest of its type in England.[4]

History

The collection was started in 1944 by C. F. Colt, whose family fortune came by way of constructing prefabricated housing.[3][5] Colt stored these instruments at the village hall in Bethersden, which was built by the Colt family, and it was in Bethersden that Colt resided.[5] Eventually the collection grew to size that storage necessitated utilizing several Colt buildings within the village.[1] Piano-maker Derek Adlam was the curator of the collection from 1936 until 1973.[6] Although Colt died in 1985, maintenance of the collection has continued.[3] Some items from the collection have subsequently been sold, while other pieces are on loan to the Munich Stadtmuseum.[1]

Specimens

One particularly notable specimen is a "claviorganum" constructed by Merlin in 1784.[7]

Current status

The collection is currently view-able only by appointment.[8]

References

[9]

[10]

  1. ^ a b c Clinkscale, Martha Novak (1999). Makers of the Piano: 1820-1860. Oxford University Press. p. 457. ISBN 9780198166252.
  2. ^ Louchet, Jean (2010). The Keyboard Stringing Guide. p. 146. ISBN 9781445710334.
  3. ^ a b c Walker, Graham (December 17, 2013). "The Survival and Preservation of English Square Pianos". The Early Piano: Authentic Materials for Early Keyboard Instruments. Early Piano. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  4. ^ Bray, David (October 1994). "The Colt Clavier Collection at 50 - A Collection in Distress?". Harpsichord and Fortepiano. 5 (1). Ruxbury Publications, Ltd.: 30–33.
  5. ^ a b Harris, Paul (2009). Malcolm Williamson: A Mischievous Muse. Omnibus Press. ISBN 9780857120465.
  6. ^ Ripin, Edwin M. (1989). Early Keyboard Instruments. W. W. Norton & Company. p. 248. ISBN 9780393305159.
  7. ^ Palmieri, Robert (2004). The Piano: An Encyclopedia. Routledge. p. 232. ISBN 9781135949648.
  8. ^ "The Music Room Workshop: Web Links". The Music Room Workshop. Retrieved April 27, 2015.
  9. ^ Ratcliffe, Ronald V. (March 1977). "A Keyboard Heaven". Clavier. 16 (3): 22–23.
  10. ^ Colt, C. F. (March 1977). "From My Collection". Clavier. 16 (3): 23–25.
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