A Guernsey charity · caring for one instrument
The Guernsey Harpsichord Trust was established in 1977 to look after the island's harpsichord — an instrument built by Andrew Garlick after a French harpsichord by Jean-Claude Goujon, and brought to Guernsey following a generous donation.
History
The story runs from a teacher's kit-built instrument to a professionally crafted one, and finally to a Trust set up to care for it.
Guernsey's first harpsichord was assembled by Alan Middleton, a teacher at Elizabeth College, from a Tomlinson kit — a remarkable undertaking in its own right. The instrument was well used in its day, travelling for concerts and taking an active part in the island's musical life.
As Guernsey's musical life grew around the instrument, it became clear that the island needed a more established harpsichord. A generous donation made it possible to acquire one that had been professionally built.
An instrument built by Andrew Garlick — modelled after a French harpsichord by Jean-Claude Goujon (1733–1758) — was identified in Headington, Oxford, by John McCormack, and brought to Guernsey by John Golightly. The Guernsey Harpsichord Trust was established the same year to look after it.
The instrument
Built by Andrew Garlick, after Jean-Claude Goujon
The harpsichord in the Trust's care was built by Andrew Garlick, following the design of a French harpsichord made by Jean-Claude Goujon (1733–1758). It remains the instrument the Trust exists to maintain, insure, and keep in use.
The instrument has recently been restored, and continues to be brought out for concerts and recitals on the island rather than kept purely on display.
This year's recital
Local organist François Cloete — currently organ scholar at Westminster Abbey — gives a harpsichord recital as a fundraiser for the Guernsey Harpsichord Trust. The programme explores harpsichord music in the French style by composers across Europe, including François Couperin, Henry Purcell, and J.S. Bach, and showcases the Trust's recently restored Andrew Garlick harpsichord.
François has waived his fee for the concert; donations of £25 or more are welcomed to help cover the cost of insuring and maintaining the instrument. Drinks will follow, with a chance to talk to François and inspect the instrument itself.
— how last year's recital, in which François performed J.S. Bach's Goldberg Variations, was described.
Support the Trust
The Trust's work centres on a single instrument: insuring it, maintaining it, and bringing it out for concerts rather than leaving it in storage. Fundraising recitals, such as this year's performance by François Cloete, go directly toward the cost of caring for the harpsichord and encouraging young musicians to take it up.
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