John Challis (harpsichord)
Encyclopedia
John Challis was an American builder of harpsichords and clavichords.
His father Charles was a jeweler and watchmaker, who moved his family from South Lyon, Michigan
to Ypsilanti, Michigan
in 1919.
John attended Michigan Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University
), where his interest in constructing keyboard instruments emerged.
He spent 4 years apprenticing with Arnold Dolmetsch
in England, returning in 1930, when he set himself up building instruments in a 2-story space above a dress shop in Ypsilanti. At that time he was the only harpsichord maker in America. He later moved to Detroit. When his house was condemned to build the Chrysler Freeway
, he moved to New York City
.
As son of a jeweler, metal work is expected in Mr. Challis' instruments, and hand-made brass hinges were a signature detail. His early instruments were traditionally constructed of traditional materials, but they evolved more radically than anyone else. By the late 1950s his later instruments still looked traditional from the outside, but the frame, wrestplank, soundboard and bridges were all aluminum, with only the outer case being wood. Of his soundboard construction, Mr. Challis said, "This is my only secret."
These instruments had a clear, bright sound, and stayed in tune through temperature and humidity changes.
Other makers who worked/apprenticed in his shop: William Dowd
, Rutkowski, and Stewart Pollens
:.
His father Charles was a jeweler and watchmaker, who moved his family from South Lyon, Michigan
South Lyon, Michigan
South Lyon is a city in Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 11,327 at the 2010 census. The city is part of the South Lyon-Howell-Brighton Urban Area, which had a population of 106,139 according to the 2000 census...
to Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Ypsilanti is a city in Washtenaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 22,362. The city is bounded to the north by the Charter Township of Superior and on the west, south, and east by the Charter Township of Ypsilanti...
in 1919.
John attended Michigan Normal College (now Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University
Eastern Michigan University is a comprehensive, co-educational public university located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Ypsilanti is west of Detroit and eight miles east of Ann Arbor. The university was founded in 1849 as Michigan State Normal School...
), where his interest in constructing keyboard instruments emerged.
He spent 4 years apprenticing with Arnold Dolmetsch
Arnold Dolmetsch
Arnold Dolmetsch , was a French-born musician and instrument maker who spent much of his working life in England and established an instrument-making workshop in Haslemere, Surrey...
in England, returning in 1930, when he set himself up building instruments in a 2-story space above a dress shop in Ypsilanti. At that time he was the only harpsichord maker in America. He later moved to Detroit. When his house was condemned to build the Chrysler Freeway
Chrysler Freeway
The Chrysler Freeway is the name given to a freeway in the Detroit area. It is composed of:*Interstate 375 south of the junction with the Fisher Freeway*Interstate 75 in Michigan north of the junction with the Fisher Freeway...
, he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
.
As son of a jeweler, metal work is expected in Mr. Challis' instruments, and hand-made brass hinges were a signature detail. His early instruments were traditionally constructed of traditional materials, but they evolved more radically than anyone else. By the late 1950s his later instruments still looked traditional from the outside, but the frame, wrestplank, soundboard and bridges were all aluminum, with only the outer case being wood. Of his soundboard construction, Mr. Challis said, "This is my only secret."
These instruments had a clear, bright sound, and stayed in tune through temperature and humidity changes.
Other makers who worked/apprenticed in his shop: William Dowd
William Dowd
William Richmond Dowd was an American harpsichord maker and one of the most important pioneers of the historical harpsichord movement....
, Rutkowski, and Stewart Pollens
Stewart Pollens
Trained as a violin and keyboard-instrument maker, Stewart Pollens served as the Conservator of Musical Instruments at the Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1976–2006...
:.
External links
- Time Music: Man from Ypsilanti (Jan. 24, 1944).
- Ann Arbor News Ypsilanti spawned a harpsichord expert.