The Schureck Collection

Listed in Clinkscale II, p.245,5
restored by Ian Watchorn, Melbourne Australia, 1986
Name plaque : “Franz Marschick in Wien” etched in black on 140 mm x 53 mm metal-framed ?whiteenamel? ivory tablet placed centrally above keyboard.

Description

Keyboard: single unreversed manual
Keyboard materials: Ebony sharps, ivory naturals
Compass: 6-1/2 octaves CC-f4
Pitch: A415Hz
Tuning: equal temperament
Action: Viennese with check
Hammer coverings: leather
Bridges : divided at G#-A

Strings:

• bichord brass CC to EE    5 notes : bass bridge
• trichord brass FF to G#  16 notes: bass bridge
• trichord iron A to F3      57 notes: treble bridge

Dampers: felt wedge overdampers for whole compass
Accessories:
Pedals: five (una chorda, damper lift, bassoon, bass drum, janissary bells) mounted on transverse plank running between front legs, in front of lyre, bassoon and bass mechanisms missing
Case: crimson stained walnut with gilt decorations in Empire style with “triple bentside”
Case lid: crimson stained walnut
Keywell lid and fallboard: crimson stained walnut, attached to case lid
Music desk: crimson stained walnut, detachable
Legs: three crimson stained detachable on Doric pillared legs with gilt gesso ornament
Dimensions(mm): 2300l x 1312w x 335h on legs 590l
Repertoire: late Beethoven, late Schubert
Provenance: purchased from William Bradshaw, antique dealer 1985
Condition category: II
Rectification required: intensive use to 2006 has produced action irregularities affecting consistency of touch
Concert dates: 23.07.88, 20.05.89, 18.09.90, 14.06.92, 26.05.96, 31.08.97, 26.07.98, 30.05.99, 22.08.99, 13.08.20, 23.09.01, 31.08.03, 15.08.04, 25.07.06, 18.05.15, 05.06.15

Commentary

Little is known of this maker, evidently of Czech or Polish origin, other than he obtained alicence to build instruments in Vienna in 1827 and died some time after 1833. The aboce is his only surviving instrument, capable of the high f4 required for Schubert at around this time, but demanded by Beethoven some years earlier for the “hammerklavier”sonata of 1816-1818