| MICHAEL COLE began making musical instruments in 1974, initially making violins and harpsichords. His interest in fortepianos began with his encounter with Mozart's own fortepiano in Salzburg, and developed over the years with the numerous commissions to restore antique instruments.
Unlike most harpsichord makers Michael Cole has never gone in for production line methods: each instrument is individually conceived and made using traditional techniques. Among his most recent productions was a copy of an English instrument of circa 1725 in walnut, commissioned by the Handel House Trust. It reproduces -- as nearly as we can -- the harpsichord shown by Phillip Mercier in his portrait of Handel. This is the earliest truly authenticated portrait and can be seen next to Michael Cole's harpsichord in the museum. An almost identical instrument, also made by Michael Cole, is shown on the Home Page on this site. |
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| Just finished [December 2001] is a copy (seen above) of the Portuguese harpsichord by Joachim Jozė Antunes on which Richard Lester plans to record his continuing cycle of Scarlatti sonatas. | ||||
