Thurston Dart (harpsichord, organ) Early English Keyboard Music II, W. Byrd & T. Tomkins

A two-manual concert harpsichord made by Thomas Goff in 1950. There are four sets of strings. The lower manual has 16’, 8’ and 4’ stops, all with leather plectra. and there is a harp stop (for the 8’ strings). The upper manual has two stops- 8’, and 8’ lute, both of quill - and the upper manual may be coupled to the lower one. (*) A bureau organ and made by Snetzler about, 1760. Its specification is one that seems to have been more or less standard in England between 1600 and 1800 for small church or chamber organs: one manual (no pedals), with 8’, 4’, 2’, and mixture stops. On this instrument, the 8’ and 4’ are stopped wood, the 2’ and mixture open metal. As on many other organs of this kind, the mixture (two ranks) is divided at middle C so that the treble and bass halves may be used separately or together. Released July 1955 by L’Oiseau-Lyre, London Records OL 50076 Mono recording Sleeve notes by Thurston Dart Made in England