John Feldberg Harpsichords & Clavichords

John Feldberg Harpsichords and Clavichords was started, in 1957 in Sevenoaks Kent, by John Feldberg who was then just twenty seventy years old. Following his untimely death in 1960, the workshop was continued by his widow Ann Feldberg and master craftsmen Peter Whale and grew to employ a roster of outstanding and dedicated harpsichord makers including, at various times, Malcom Fisk, Derek Adlam, Christopher Jones, Malcom Rose, Ken Haydn, Hugh Craig, Tim Constable and Nick Martin.

With their help, the workshop flourished for over 20 years, making harpsichords, clavichords, spinets, virginals and even a muselar. From the 1970's onwards most, if not all, John Feldberg instruments were meticulously researched copies of original instruments, using as near as possible, similar materials.

Before it closed in 1980, the workshop produced 272 instruments which were sold to customers all over the world and played by musicians from Raymond Leppard to George Malcolm, Kenneth Gilbert, Trevor Pinnock, Peter Hurford, Christopher Hogwood and Jane Clarke (Dodgson). Instruments were also hired out to numerous  venues and orchestras;  amongst them Glyndebourne, the  Royal Festival Hall, the Wigmore Hall, the BBC, Dartington Music Summer School  - and the Abbey Road recording studios!