The difference between clavichord and
harpsichord is that clavichord is an early keyboard instrument producing a
soft sound by means of metal blades (called tangents) attached to the inner
ends of the keys gently striking the strings while harpsichord is an
instrument with a piano-like keyboard, which produces sound by plucking the
strings.
A harpsichord is a stringed keyboard instrument,
differing from the clavichord and the piano in having plucked, rather
than struck, strings. Sometimes the name harpsichord is used to refer to
the spinet and virginal as well as the harpsichord proper. The first
known reference to the instrument appeared in 1397, and it became an
important solo instrument, as well as being used in chamber music,
orchestral music, and opera.
RetroMagix
is a Virtual Harpsichord
based on the Flemish (Belgian Dutch) models, designed for creating a wide
range of Harpsichord sounds, from classical or neoclassical and modern
styles.
The harpsichord was widely used in
Renaissance and Baroque music. During the late 18th century, it gradually
disappeared from the musical scene with the rise of the piano. But in the 20th
century, it made a resurgence, being used in historically informed performance
of older music, in new (contemporary) compositions, and in popular culture.
