The Clavicytherium....
originally from the David Munrow Forum
I used to know someone called Alan Whear in Windsor. He used to have an instrument workshop behind the barracks. People, as they passed his place of business could see him working away on either creating a new instrument, or repairing old ones. He was brilliant craftsman But it was clear to me he was not really business minded, or else he could have gone far.
I remember once visiting him, and like myself had a weakness for early music. He even suggested to me that perhaps in the future I would have a consort just like David Munrow. However, my interests were more towards philosophy, metaphysics, psychical research, mysticism, et cetera....These have since absorbed me since those early days but I still love early music and it still has impact on my life.
Anyway, I noticed in the local paper an article on Alan Whear whose pic was published holding his new creation.... a clavicytherium. Unfortunately, I cannot recall how long ago this was but it was claimed that he was the first person to have produced this instrument which is essentially a portable "primitive" upright "harpsichord". In a way it reminded me of the portable Medieval organ except that strings could be seen vertically, and the keys would strike them when played.
Another revelation was the seeming fact that Alan had actually constructed the piano for the Piano film. Though he had sold it to the film company, he still felt that it was somehow a part of him. Thus, when filming he tried to find out how"his" piano was being used, or indeed misused on location.
To return to the clavicytherium I went over to Alans workshop, and he gave me a musical demonstration of it, and he notably played the Volta for me. If I recall correctly David Munrow gives reference to this instrument in his book.................
I remember once visiting him, and like myself had a weakness for early music. He even suggested to me that perhaps in the future I would have a consort just like David Munrow. However, my interests were more towards philosophy, metaphysics, psychical research, mysticism, et cetera....These have since absorbed me since those early days but I still love early music and it still has impact on my life.
Anyway, I noticed in the local paper an article on Alan Whear whose pic was published holding his new creation.... a clavicytherium. Unfortunately, I cannot recall how long ago this was but it was claimed that he was the first person to have produced this instrument which is essentially a portable "primitive" upright "harpsichord". In a way it reminded me of the portable Medieval organ except that strings could be seen vertically, and the keys would strike them when played.
Another revelation was the seeming fact that Alan had actually constructed the piano for the Piano film. Though he had sold it to the film company, he still felt that it was somehow a part of him. Thus, when filming he tried to find out how"his" piano was being used, or indeed misused on location.
To return to the clavicytherium I went over to Alans workshop, and he gave me a musical demonstration of it, and he notably played the Volta for me. If I recall correctly David Munrow gives reference to this instrument in his book.................
RS
Some links in connection to Alan Whear
Among other things Alan was into Morris Dancing and a spot of writing so to speak! Link
The following is from Facebook
Windsor Morris Dancers ref FB page
Alan Whear among other things was a co-founder with Jenny Joyce of Windsor Morris
He was an inspiring melodeon player, putting such energy into his playing. He came to workshops with us to learn how dances went so that he would know how to emphasise pauses, jumps etc and began to run music workshops for the (Women's) Morris Federation which were very popular, inspiring many other musicians to develop their own style.
He actually left the team in 1992 but his memory lingers on – even among those of the team who weren’t born then! He was also the first man reporting to the WMF committee – as Morris Matters editor; the magazine that he with other members of Windsor started up originally under the auspices of the Federation.
He actually left the team in 1992 but his memory lingers on – even among those of the team who weren’t born then! He was also the first man reporting to the WMF committee – as Morris Matters editor; the magazine that he with other members of Windsor started up originally under the auspices of the Federation.
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