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John Challis (1907–1974) was an American builder of harpsichords and clavichords, at one time the only such maker of harpsichords in the United States. His father Charles was a jeweler and watchmaker who moved his family from South Lyon, Michigan to Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1919.
No early pedal harpsichords survive. Born in South Lyon, Michigan, John Challis was American's first native-born harpsichord maker. After apprenticing with Arnold Dolmetsch in England in 1926-30, he returned to the United States and set up shop in Ypsilanti, Michigan, later moving to New York City.
John Challis, who is a first-rate harpsichordist himself, was born in Ypsilanti 36 years ago, the son of a jeweler and watchmaker. While at Michigan State Normal College (where he studied...
Mar 21, 2017 · In 1960, the organist E. Power Biggs approached the American harpsichord maker John Challis and engaged him to build a pedal harpsichord. After years of experimentation and research, Challis constructed such an instrument for the famed performer, who recorded an entire album of Bach's music on the instrument.
The work of John Challis (1907–1974) is discussed on pp92–99 of Wolfgang Zuckermann’s 1969 classic The Modern Harpsichord. Following four years of study with early music pioneer Arnold Dolmetsch, Challis returned to the United States in 1930 and established himself as the first American harpsichord maker, predating the Hubbard/Dowd ...
ica’s other mid-century harpsichord maker, John Challis, was based in Detroit; his instruments too were priced out of Zuckermann’s market, particularly when one figured in shipping costs.
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Reproduction: John Challis, American Double Manuel Harpsichord. 1960. The original, 14-19th century harpsichords were primarily constructed of wood. This unique, modern version, with its aluminum frame and brass bridges, produces a brighter sound and stays in tune longer.
