Hugh Craig Harpsichords History |
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Hugh
Craig was born in Haslemere, Surrey, England in 1942. An early interest
in music and the piano later developed into a keen interest in the
construction of keyboard instruments.
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A
five year apprenticeship in harpsichord making was undertaken with
the old firm of Arnold Dolmetsch Ltd in Haslemere. During this time
every aspect of harpsichord design, building, regulation and tuning
was covered. A certificate to mark the completion of this apprenticeship
was presented in 1963 by the Managing Director, Carl F Dolmetsch.
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Thoughts
were always on starting his own harpsichord workshop but a wider
experience in harpsichord manufacture was needed. A vacancy at John
Feldberg, Sevenoaks, Kent, suited this requirement and Hugh spent
valuable time building many large concert harpsichords, including
Neupert Doubles. A period of time was spent at the frantic workshop
of William De Blaise Harpsichords where instruments were produced
on a three tier bonus system, the speed of construction concentrating
the mind in the workshop.
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Hugh
decided to move to Australia to establish his first business, taking
with him the first Hugh Craig designed 8', 4' Single Manual Harpsichord
for demonstration and hire. The firm of Hugh Craig Harpsichords
was established with a wide range of Hugh's designs from the 8'
small spinet to Concert Doubles 16', 8', 8', 4', 4'. Being the first
fully qualified harpsichord maker to set up business in Australia
was a great challenge but rewarded with orders both within and outside
Australia. Further recognition of Hugh's craftsmanship came when
he won the commission to build the Double Manual Concert harpsichord
for the Sydney Opera House.
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In
1981 Hugh moved back to England to set up a harpsichord workshop,
in partnership with the Dolmetsch family in Haslemere. This new
firm, Haslemere Musical Instruments Ltd, manufactured exclusively
Hugh Craig designed keyboard instrument under the name of Craig-Dolmetsch.
The firm of Haslemere Musical Instruments continued to be run by
Hugh after the Craig-Dolmetsch partnership was dissolved until Hugh
re-established his firm of Hugh Craig Harpsichords in the Herefordshire
area.
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Not
only are instruments designed, built and repaired in the Hugh Craig
workshop, we are now using our expertise to supply harpsichord and
spinet parts and accessories to the home harpsichord builder and
professional harpsichord maker worldwide.
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