In August 1956, a beautiful new harpsichord arrived in Wellington aboard the RMS Rangitoto. It had been purchased from its maker, Thomas Goff of London, by the New Zealand Broadcasting Service for use by the National Orchestra in baroque repertoire. Why was this instrument so special and what went wrong when it got to New Zealand? Where is it now? Was there a happy ending? James Gardner delves into the surprisingly colourful and quirky story of a harpsichord and its maker and talks to several people with connections to the instrument.
The London harpsichord maker, Thomas Goff.
Photo sourced from G. A. Briggs: Audio Biographies, published Wharfedale Wireless Works Ltd, Bradford, 1961
A concert in the Royal Festival Hall in 1961 featuring Thurston Dart, George Malcolm, Valda Aveling and Geoffrey Parsons playing Goff harpsichords. Raymond Leppard conducts the Philomusica of London.
Photo sourced from G. A. Briggs: Audio Biographies, published Wharfedale Wireless Works Ltd, Bradford, 1961
Top view of a Goff harpsichord. This photo was sent by the maker to the NZBS in 1956 to tempt them into purchasing an instrument.
Photo: RNZ
Charles Thornton Lofthouse, who played the Goff harpsichord in its disastrous first public concert in Wellington.
Photo: Dr Thornton Lofthouse and his wife on board a boat with lifeboat in background. Negatives of the Evening Post newspaper. Ref: EP/1956/1544-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22582660
Auckland harpsichord maker and technician Paul Downie working painstakingly on some of the 305 jacks of The Beast.
Photo: Donald Nicolson
Some of the jacks in their original condition with leather plectra.
Photo: Donald Nicolson
The jacks, now with new Delrin plectra mounted within sanded-down remnants of the leather plectra.
Photo: Donald Nicolson
The Beast in the process of refurbishment, jacks removed.
Photo: Donald Nicolson
Thomas Goff's Harpsichord No.6 aka "The Beast" today.
Photo: Donald Nicolson
The nameboard showing the inscription "T.R.C.G. et J.C.C. Fecerunt MCMLXI" - "Made by T.R.C.G[off] and J.C.C[obby] 1956".
Photo: Donald Nicolson
The Beast and its current owner, Donald Nicolson.
Photo: Donald Nicolson
The images in this gallery are used with permission and are subject to copyright conditions.
