Talk:Philip Belt

Sandbox: Instrument inventory

• The first Frederici copy. Now in local museum in Hagerstown. See fn. in article.
• The first Dulcken-based, Vosgerchian-purchased instrument. Current whereabouts unknown.
• 1969 replica of Smithsonian Dulcken. This was Bilson's first. It was then owned as of 1983 by Sonya Sadovnikoff [1], and ca. 1999 Bilson bought it back. [2]
• 1970 "Copy of a Jean-Louis Dulcken grand, ca. 1790 by Philip Belt, 1970, after Smithsonian #303537". Program for recital at Oberlin. [3]
• no later than 1972. Dulcken replica. Formerly owned by 'the late and legendary UW pianist/teacher Else Geissmar", now the property of Tamara Friedman and George Bozarth of Seattle. [4]. Geissmar performed on it in 1972, and it was thought at the time to be a Stein replica. Concert program from 1972: [5]. As of 2011 the property of Carl and Katherine Crosier of Honolulu [6]; on Carl Crosier's death bequeathed to Mark Russell of Honolulu. [7]. Hmm, is it possible Geissmar owned two Belt instruments?
• 1973. Stein replica, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Still in their possession in 2008; see [8]. Also see review below of a performance on this instrument.
• 1974 Stein replica, built by a team of students at Converse College (Spartanburg, S.C.) under Belt's supervision. Probably the Stein kit. [9]. See also: Stein replica, owned by George Lucktenberg, professor at Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina. [10]
• 1974 Stein replica, purchased by Illinois Wesleyan University [11]
• 1975 Walter replica, audio files at [12]
• 1977 Walter, owned by Bilson. [13]
• late 70s, early 80's. Walter copy owned by University of Nebraska at Lincoln. [14]
• Walter replica, owned by Wellesley College. [15]
• Philippine period. 1770 Stein replica, owned by Peter and Barbara O'Donnell, an unusual instrument built in the Philippines with a mahogany soundboard and appropriately decorated with a reproduction antique map of the world.
• Philippine period. Made of Narra wood. Ultimately bought by Case Western Reserve University (see Belt web autobiography)
• 1987 Walter copy, later modified with historical wire. Originally commission and owned, then sold, by Martha Clinksale. Sale ad calls it Opus 33. [16], p. 18. Now the property of Luis Sanchez (Sanchez 2011); played by Sanchez on You Tube [17]
• The Walter pedal piano. Sold, at some unknown date, by Zuckermann Harpsichords. [18]

Money

Maribel Meisel complains about it: [19]

Elwood, IN

"p-297 FOR SALE—Used Spinet piano, like new. Philip Belt, 400 N. 10th St., Elwood". [20] Tipton paper

your piano tired rundown and out of tune? For a new life for that old piano see Philip Belt, 400 North 10th st. [21]

A review from 1974

From the Danville Kentucky Advocate-Messenger, [22]

Clavichord And Fortepiano Recital Draws High Praise By Mi. ROBKH I WF.AVPH Assistant Professor of Music Superb playing, splendidly -chosen repertoire, excellent copies of instruments historically appropriate for the music too many superlatives for one concert? Certainly not for Joan Benson's recital on the clavichord and fortepiano that a Centre College audience enjoyed Thursday night Amazement and delight characterized the countenances of the 200 people who filled a small room, acoustically live and quietly lighted, in the College's Regional Arts Center. Many of us wondered what a clavichord really sounded like. It is one thing to see pictures of the instrument that was popular in private entertainments since the 15th century, or to know that its delicate sound is made by a metal tangent striking the strings, or to remember that composers up to the early 19th century favored the instrument because of it expressive capabilities. But it is another matter to know the quality of the clavichord by hearing it. We now know. Joan Benson, professor of music at Stanford University and international concert performer, made the clavichord sing with an expressive quality in a manner that was perhaps rare even in previous centuries. Miss Benson used an instrument built by Jacobus Verwelf of Holland in l'.)70. The program began with three Renaissance com Two works were related to the vocal literature of the time: A Vilianella by a Polish composer and a well-known chanson tune "Duviensela") set by the Spanish clavichordist Antonio do Cabezon. A Corantoby Jakub Pi.iak concluded this group, all marked by dance rhythms whose interest was enhanced by carefully articulated phrases and subtley expressive dynamics. After our initial surprise at the sound level of the instrument, we acquired a whole new perspective on the concept of loud and soft. With CPE. Bach's "lYobestucke Sonta No. 6" (written to illustrate his 1753 treatise on keyboard playing), the recitalist conveyed still another range of colors on this versatile instrument. During the composer's lifetime (1714-88), his works were admired for their expressive eloquence and range of feelings. Indeed Miss Benson's performance of the sonata's three movements, which contrasted in mood and character, afforded us an excellent example of his style. The rich tone of the arpeggiated chords, the clarity of rapid scale-wise passages, melodies sung warmly and then reshaped by dynamic levels and nuances were there all in their turn. In a composer whose style can easily lead to fragmentation because of quick changes of mood, numerous musical motives, or abrupt harmonic shifts, Miss Benson adroitly bound all elements into an exciting whole. Although keenly aware of the different emotional levels, she did not sacrifice the over-all continuity of each large portion. In the final movement the vibrato capability of the instrument, known as "bebung," enhanced the expressiveness of the melodic line, often improvisatory in nature. This effect is created by changing the finger pressure on the key.

MORE SURPRISES The surprises for the evening were not over. Next Miss Benson treated us to a Haydn Sonata (H. XVI: 24 in D major) played on a replica of a 1773 Johann Andreas Stein fortepiano. The modern copy was built by Philip Belt and loaned to the artist by the Southern Baptist Seminary. This instrument, lighter in tone and action weight than our modern piano, permits more variety in articulation, phrasing, and dynamics than we are accustomed to hearing on a keyboard. The pedal on the Stein piano, operated by the knee rather than by the foot, is divided into two halves. In the second movement of the sonata, the artist used this separation to full advantage. Against a warm harmonic sonority created by the un-dampened strings of the left hand, Miss Benson juxtaposed melodic lines with fine shadings. These were never over-refined, however, to the point that one lost the longer sense of direction. The last movement, by its phrase shapings and its rhythmic vitality was truly captivating. The verve and animation that, pervaded the performer herself translated themselves into exciting sounds. For the reviewer, this work was perhaps the high point of the concert. Returning to the clavichord, Miss Benson played an F minor Suite, supposedly by J.S. Bach (s. 832), in which she conveyed a thorough understanding of sarabande and gigue rhythms. The ornamentation, as well, was always appropriately used to convey the style of these dances. To close her concert, our guest played another C.P.E. Bach work on the fortepiano. The second fantasy "for connoisseurs and music lovers" (written in 1785) revealed the composer in the form he found, most compatible to his nature. The virtuosity required in the presentation never stood out of context but was woven expertly with the song-like, sensitive melodies found in the composition. In Miss Benson we find a rare combination of intuitive musical gifts shaped and refined by intellectual curiosity. The result is performance which is not only exciting and warm, but one that is historically accurate and appropriate in style as well. A rare blend.

and here: [23] a citation of an MA thesis done that year at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, indeed unusual among seminaries for emphasis on church music. It is in Louisville.