logo

Foreign harps

The Eisenach harp

Dated c. 1720

Kept at the Bach House in Eisenach.

"German baroque" design;
33 strings

This instrument has only one diatonic row of strings, but some strings are fitted with mechanical semitone fretting devices. and buzzing bray pins on each of its strings to make a nasal, growling tone.

Info taken from the website of German harpmaker Claus Hüttel, who offers a beautiful replica of this instrument.

Simon Chadwick