Detail of the 1795 Broadwood Square Piano
Further information:
Organs at Finchcocks
There are three organs in the collection, the largest instrument being the magnificent chamber organ of 1766 by the London maker John Byfield which stands twelve and a half feet high against the north wall in the old drawing room. It is one of the best preserved of all surviving English chamber organs of the eighteenth century, with its mechanism and pipework virtually intact.
The remarkably pure tone colours obtainable from the instrument provide a vivid tapestry of sound. The case would appear to have been the work of John Adam, since he was responsible for the furniture at Castle Grant near Banff (where this instrument was first installed), and there is a reference in a contemporary letter to a 'Mr Adams' (sic) as having designed the casework.
The other two instruments both date from the end of the eighteenth century and are much smaller. The anonymous instrument of about 1790 and that of John Avery made in 1792 are free-standing instruments with three stops each.
Many other items of musical interest are housed at Finchcocks. There are two eighteenth-century barrel organs, a barrel piano, a Swedish piano-harpa and a number of musical boxes. A number of antique music stands, including examples by Erard, can be found throughout the house.