Michael Angelo Longo - Artist

I have always loved the sound of the Harpsichord. It's music  vibrates deep in my heart, and it's sound resonates within my soul. The fragility of the construction mirrors that of the human body. The named parts of the Harpsichord represent some of those parts: check, spine, tail, head, legs.

Back in the 1970's, I experimented with my own designs, becoming a learned student of the history of construction and the famous makers. I began, as many back then did, with settling with a "KIT". These "pre-fabricated" kits gave you a basic understanding of the construction techniques and finishing processes. But as time went on, I moved away from those kits and decided to be a quasi purist and make Harpsichords from scratch. After a dozen, I believed I got it right. 

Flemish Harpsichord with "Romanian theme" Artwork.  The "theme" takes me to Wallachia, the Arges river valley, more specifically, Citedel Poenari. This was Prince Vlad Tepes final bastion of protection from the Ottoman Turks invading Romania in the 15th century. I have blended the images of the castle, how it might have looked back then, along with peasant, country life. The lid has a scene to the right of a typical Romanian village, whereas, the bentside and cheek have images of "gypsy" or "Roma" as they liked to be called today, bathing in a stream across from the sacred Orthodox Church. The "cheek" or short section, represents the fallen Princess, Erlizabeth, who upon hearing that her husband and castle were to be overtaken by the Turkish Army, flung herself out the castle window and into the depths of the Arges river. The Dragon to the right of her represents Vlad, as he was a member of the "Order of the Dracul". This Order formed and sworn to protect Christianity from the "infidels".

The Romanian Gypsies bathing in the river.

 The "Action"  and soundboard of the instrument.

 Angle view of the Keyboard.

 Lid painting- Romanian Citedel Poenari.

 Gypsy maidens bathing across from the Orthodox Church.

 Detail of "Vlad" Dragon painting on cheek.

Painting on the cheek side of Erlizabeth drowned in the river with Vlad at her side.

 Close up of the 3 maidens.

 She bathes in view of the church... In defiance of modesty.

 Castle (Citedel) Poenari, as it might have looked around 1465.

 The Keyboard..All hand made keys and mechanism.

 The carved antique legs of the harpsichord.

 Detail of the Romanian village.

 The Makers name...

Above, a little Romanian peasant girl picks flowers at the base of the castle.

Below, detail of the Gypsy wagon and barge on the river.