Musical Instrument
Building Courses
at Marholmen, Sweden -
Unique in the World
By
Kenneth Sparr
Stockholm, Sweden 1997
Updated 2015-05-04
This article in
Swedish
Report on Making a
Clavichord after NM 264.785 in Musikmuseet at the Instrument-building Course at
Marholmen, July 26 - August 12, 1999
Johan Gabriel
Högwall - fortepianomakare i Göteborg
Kenneth Sparr
In 1980 I
participated for the first time in the musical instrument building courses at
Marholmen. The courses had started already the year before, in 1979, and on
many occasions I've been told about the ordered chaos that prevailed during the
first summer. It was a daring project initiated by HansErik Svensson and Arne
Lindberg, which in 1996 for the 18th time could be fulfilled successfully. When
you count the instruments that have been built more than 50 clavichords, 74
lutes, 11 guitars and three citterns; you have all reason to get impressed. We
are many people who should be grateful for the pioneering work of HansErik and
Arne to revive the old traditions of crafts concerning the building of musical
instruments and particularly with respect to the clavichord and the lute. The
courses at Marholmen are without doubt unique in the world concerning both the
length of experience, the result and the quality of the work. They certainly
deserve a much greater attention than they have had up to now.
The author playing his
Martin Hoffmann-theorbo in 1997 (photo Anders Lindfors).
Freedom
and Food
I can
well recall my first summer at Marholmen. I had ordered a clavichord kit from
the USA and it arrived in the last second before the course started. My whole
family (my wife Anneli, my seven-year old daughter Sanna and my three-year old
son Gustav accompanied me. My wife participated in another course that was held
at the same time as the musical instrument building course so it was a good
combination of interests. The travel to Marholmen with the family was also a
bit of an adventure: from the barren nature of the Nynäshamn archipelago
through the metropolis Stockholm to the much luxuriant nature of Roslagen and
Marholmen. We nearly didn't find our way: the signs showing where to go were
almost non-existent and we drove the wrong way several times. I always
experience this particular feeling of not quite finding the way to Marholmen.
Perhaps this has something to do with places that mean something special to you
and the joy is great when finally find your way. I have had some experiences of
summer courses before, but Marholmen was a quite new and perfect experience
with the combination of excellent food, bathing, great freedom and to work with
both your brain and your hands. There is always a sense of great expectation
and joy when you on the first day of the course arrive at Marholmen's courtyard
situated between the beautiful and characteristic buildings. Then it really is
summer and holiday!
The
First Instrument
During
the first couple of years the instrument builders were working in the lecture
room of the main building as the new house still was not built. Delicious
scents came from the kitchen and the food was always nearby. The beautiful, but
no so well adapted lecture room was really thronged with builders. I was placed
in the middle surrounded by other keen pupils, older and younger, women and
men. The crowding grew as the pupils dispersed their things, tools and
instrument parts, but this situation was manageable due to the nice company. It
was a diversified collection of instruments, which the pupils worked on. There
were me, Johan Denke, Anders Eriksson and Martin Haag with clavichords,
Lars-Gunnar Bergmo with a portative, Birsen Battal, Mats Guilletmot, Ulrika
Holmer, Ingemar Nilsson, Rickard Stålbrand, Nikolai Suursööt and Peter
Thelenius with lutes, Marie Selander with epinette des Vosges, Bengt Matern
with harpsichord and János Mártony with fiddle. I was a beginner and I had not
much experience in woodworking and particularly not in lutherie.
The parts which will
become a lute.
At this point I did not realise the importance these courses would have in my life, but I certainly was quite enthusiastic already from the first day. The fact that the instrument was finished during the course was of course an important factor. However this clavichord did not function so well as a musical instrument, but the leaders of the course are not to blame. The clavichord kit had several drawbacks. My son Gustav, then three years old, often stood beside me when I was working, and held on to my ear lobe. It was not easy then to concentrate on the work.
Gustav at the left and
Arne Lindberg at the right with the clavichord in the middle.
Gustav did not really
think it was so funny when his father built instruments instead of playing with
him. After that summer my son associated "Marholmen" with
"summer holidays" and during several years he did not want to go on
"summer holiday". No, the combination of musical instrument building
and small children is not uncomplicated. My daughter Sanna on the other hand amused
herself with HansErik's daughter Åsa and they even, to their joy and horror,
succeeded to catch a few small perches, which they immediately showed us with a
terrified pride.
The
World Around Disappeared
But
Marholmen to me is just not building musical instruments even if this is the
most important part. Already the first year I appreciated the other features of
Marholmen: the abundant, particularly delicious and nearly culinary catering,
the simple, but beautiful and cosy rooms, the close and friendly contact
between staff and pupils, the freedom and openness, the lovely nature with
bathing and sauna at our very doors, the nice excursions on sea and on land.
During the first years there was a problem with fresh water and I can still
remember the taste of the slightly salted water you brushed your teeth with, if
you had the time for these trifles. The nature was rather wild around the
school and the big conference centre nearby was not yet built. However, the
geographical area you moved in was normally very small: between the
workshop/dining-room, the hostel and the bathing-place. Those who didn't bathe
only moved between two points. Another experience was that the pupils soon show
very little interest in the events of the world. You don't look at TV, you
don't read newspapers and Marholmen itself constitutes the world. The pupils
also become closely connected to each other as you live together (work, talk,
eat, bathe and take a sauna) all day and night with the exception of a few
hours of sleep. There was plenty of fun and we tried to outdo each other with
odd jumps from the high-board and who could get the most heat in the sauna and
put up with it. A memorable occasion in 1985 was when ca 15 naked men tried to
sink a small rowing boat by just standing in it. However, we didn't manage to
sink it in spite of numerous trials. There have been a lot of music-making from
Birsen Battal's playing on a saw, the simple plucking on a lute or playing on a
clavichord to musical peak performances in the villa.
A Playable
Lute
Since
then and during the following 17 years I have been to many of the courses and
the results have been several finished instruments but also restorations and
repairs. We are a few persons who have been diligent participants during many
courses. The remembrances from all summers run into each other, I must confess.
During a few summers I was only visiting the course, but immediately I became
envious of those who were building instruments. In 1984 I built my first
"real" instrument a ten-course lute after Hans Frei, active during
the 16th century. We could now work in the new building, more appropriate but
less beautiful. I have always worked keenly and relatively fast (and sometimes
a bit carelessly). The lute was playable at the end of the course and I was
very proud. It was the first musical instrument I had built nearly from
scratch. However, I have to admit that it was the merits of Arne Lindberg that
made the building process work so well.
The soundboard bars are
planed
In the
building of a lute there are some critical moments which can be very stressful
for the pupils, but particularly for the teacher who is more aware of all the
labour, sweat and almost tears which will be needed to correct any mistakes.
The only moment you can't get done is the finishing of the instrument (French
polishing etc.). Some of this could be done at home during the winter, but it
is always a good excuse for returning to Marholmen the following summer, if
only for a few days. So I did in 1985.
Smell
the Wood
What a
feeling it is the first day of the course to stand before the little pile of
wooden parts which eventually together with much and joyful labour will become
a finished musical instrument! To feel, to contemplate and to smell on the wood,
to choose timber for the back of the lute all this creates a delight which is
difficult to describe in words. Many of the newcomers perhaps don't realise the
amount and the length of the preparations Arne and HansErik have gone through
in the winter and the spring. They have spent many hours and days at the band
saw, the planer and planning for the next course, surely a both tiresome and
tedious work, which still demands concentration and accurateness. Arne's and
HansErik's preparations before and work during the course are quite crucial for
the results that the pupils obtain. The participants get opportunities to
develop many aspects of the human nature, which is another feature of the
course. It is not only a matter of the work of the hands but equally important
are the intellectual processes. One is impressed by the ingenuity and
creativity which many students show during the favourable conditions that are
offered by the Marholmen courses. Those who are interested in human behaviour
in different situations have an abundance of object for observation as you
hardly can hide your true personality during the process of building, it's a
mixed blessing really!
A Pile
of Wood and a Booklet of Instructions
The
construction process of course varies according to the type of instrument.
During the years Arne and HansErik have developed a self-instructive written
material which describes the construction process step by step. It sounds
comfortable and simple enough: a pile of wood and a manual. Well, it is just to
start the process! But, it is an almost impossible task to describe the
construction process minutely in words and images. The manual also has to be
completely intelligible and clear. Unforeseen surprises occur all the time and
inevitably you will make bigger or lesser mistakes or other deviations in the
construction process. The comprehension of written instructions varies from
person to person and it is strange to see how many different interpretation
people can find of the same text. The written manual is however a good aid and
means that Arne's and HansErik's knowledge can be used in a more efficient way.
For the beginner it is always difficult to decide where, when and how the
important moments occur and you may easily waste a lot of energy on sanding and
sanding parts of the instruments that never will be visible or where you
instead could have used a cutting tool. There is always a tendency that the
beginner without due cause complicates matters which after all are quite simple
and on the other hand simplifies moments where consideration and concentration
are required.
Clavichords and Grobert
Guitars before a try out concert.
believe
that building a musical instrument of your own, particularly if it's a true
copy of an old instrument, give you some ideas how experienced artisan may
work. My admiration has grown steadily for the skill, intelligence and the
aesthetical knowledge of the old artisans who under more primitive
circumstances could create and make so beautiful and appropriate objects. This
knowledge may as a matter of fact also be used in many other contexts of life.
The construction and building of musical instruments furthermore will give you
fundamental and important skills in general cabinet-making, finishing, the use
and care of hand tools and other devices. The clavichord builders also will
learn about fundamental chromatology, to mix pigments, test different colour
combinations etc. The professional musician should never underestimate the
value of learning how his instrument is constructed and how it operates.
The
Guitar of Paganini
For a
couple of years I had tried to persuade Arne Lindberg to include a copy of an
older guitar type in the program of the course. The reason was entirely
selfish: I was very keen on building this kind of instrument. However, later it
was obvious that other people also was interested in building a guitar of this
kind. I was quite aware of why Arne hesitated a bit: a new type of instrument
means a lot of preparatory work for the teachers. However, my nagging was
successful in the end: Mats Guilletmot and I became guinea pigs and built the
first two guitars in 1987 after a drawing of the famous guitar by Grobert, an
instrument formerly owned by both Paganini and Berlioz.
Mats
however, bathed and jumped too much with the result of a broken arm and he
could not finish his guitar. He was in a terrible pain and we all felt pity for
him. Well, this a typical of Marholmen: the few physical injuries which have
occurred during the years seldom or never have any connection with the
construction of instruments itself in spite of that there many opportunities to
cut, saw and plane yourself and others.
The stringing of a
clavichord needs a nimble hand.
One
summer at Marholmen I devoted to repair a few old guitars . This was a useful
experience and addition to my knowledge of old musical instruments. I think it
was this summer that Javier Hernandez came directly from Cuba to build a lute.
Besides being a good guitar player he also was a skilled and creative
instrument builder. In addition he had brought strong and tasty Cuban
cigarettes which he frequently offered. Javier later worked as an assistant to
Arne and HansErik during a couple of summer courses.
An Ordeal
for Married Life
I had
sold my first clavichord and in the course of time I had with some envy looked
upon those who were building clavichords. It looked easy enough compared with
building a lute: make a box and then fill it with small wooden parts, strings,
wrest and hitch pins, you name it! In 1992 I got the opportunity together with
my wife to build a clavichord after an original by Philip Jacob Specken under
the constantly inspiring, challenging and competent guidance by HansErik
Svensson. What could have been an ordeal for our married life instead became a
pleasing co-operation even if my wife's enthusiasm for building musical
instruments lies far behind mine. She showed however both an excellent taste
and skill when it came to paint the clavichord. It was an entirely different
experience to build a clavichord compared with building a lute. It was less
complicated in some respects and with more room for sound improvements with the
finished instrument.
In the
music museum in Brussels I had in the beginning of the 90s found a drawing of a
baroque guitar from 1761 made by the French luthier Gérard J. Deleplanque. I
was keen build a copy of this guitar too as I often had admired Arne Lindberg's
beautiful copy of a guitar by Voboam. As usual I nagged at Arne to get the
opportunity to build a copy of the Deleplanque guitar and this project could be
realised in 1993. The guitar was sparsely ornamented, but the few inlays, which
should be made, took a lot of time to finish.
This
guitar is the only of this type to have been built, which is a pity as it
always is interesting to compare similar instruments. Surely, there are more
beautiful baroque guitars to copy, but I take offence when my wife calls it
"a paddle"!
A finished replica of a
Swedish clavichord by Specken, built by the author.
When you
have built your clavichord you need something to put it on and the instrument
then also can form a whole. In 1994 I built a leg stand and again I showed my
ignorance in believing that this would be an easy task finished within a week
or so. It of course took longer time than that and my esteem for good
craftsmanship increased at the same time. A few more pictures of the finished
Specken clavichord:
The
Masterpiece
In 1995
it was time for the "masterpiece" of the lute building: the 13-course
baroque lute after Martin Hoffmann. Only one had been built before and both
Arne and I were anxious to hear the sound of it. I had made some preparations
at home. There were some decorative ornaments on the peg boxes of the original
instrument, which I wanted to copy both for the appearance, but it also was a
challenge and an opportunity to gain some more experience and knowledge. It
took its time, but went reasonably well. The problems appeared when all things
should be fitted to the instrument. Wood is a living material and it decides
itself how it will form and you have to suit yourself to that.
A 13-course baroque
lute after Martin Hoffmann is tested in the workshop.
My finished Martin Hoffmann baroque lute
In the
summer 1996 I was, together with Daniel Noblía, "relegated" to the
building called "Reträtten" (the retreat) where we both worked with
the restoration of two old square pianos. I had rescued an old square piano
built by Johan Gabriel Högwall from the 1810s and Daniel worked with a later
instrument by Pehr Rosenwall. This relegation was however very tolerable and we
had a nice co-operation. If you needed more company there were only of few
steps to the other participants of the course.
Musical
Orgies in the Villa
However,
the main task of musical instruments in life is not to be built but to played.
During several summers we have had the privilege to have the Finnish organist
Mikko Korhonen as a tester and he has given us many musical "orgies"
through his improvisations on all sorts of clavichords. These highlights have
been performed in the best room of the beautiful villa, where you have been
able to lean back in the uncomfortable, and rather ugly, but impressive sofas inspired
by the Rococo.
A collection of lutes
and Grobert-guitars from the courses.
In 1996
Mikko Korhonen gave a beautifully sounding combined organ and clavichord
concert in the lovely church of Länna. To reach the church we travelled through
the ancient scenery of Roslagen. During the trip back we were accompanied by a
fabulous sunset, a worthy conclusion of a very nice concert. Another memorable
concert is the one Mikko gave in the restored vacation home the same year. A
few skilled lute players have worked as testers of plucked instruments. Beate
Dittmann from Germany visited the course in 1995 and gave a concert of her own
with early music for the lute, but also tested the finished lutes from the
course.
Internet
Recruits
A
thrilling and exciting feature of the courses has been the international
participation of pupils from Germany, Cuba, Switzerland, Norway, Finland and
the USA A whole Finnish colony with above all Pekka Vapaavuori as a quick
builder, always enthusiastic and inspiring has been present at the courses
during many years. One of the participants in 1996, the 70 years old Robert
(Bob) Buzzard from New Mexico, USA, had been recruited with the most recent
information technique: through Internet and the e-mail network that exists
between lutenists all over the world. Pleasant breaks in the building process
have been the many people, which have visited the course one, or a couple of
days: relatives and friends to the participants, past participants, musicians,
people from museums etc. On some occasions the visitors have brought
interesting things as for example when Felix Wolff from the Music Museum in
Stockholm came with his string making machine, constructed after an old model
in the French Encyclopaedia and which we all with great enthusiasm got the
opportunity to test.
Recording in the
Grödinge church with lutes from Marholmen
Last but
not least it is important to call attention to the elements of experiments and
developments of the courses. If you participate very occasionally this may not
seem obvious, but those of us who have taken part in many of the courses this
is quite evident. Arne and HansErik strive continuously to develop the methods
of working and to search for an increasing improvement of the qualities of the
musical instruments. The building process becomes a fruitful dialogue between
teacher and pupil where many new ideas crop up all the time. Some of these
ideas are worth developing, others are thrown on to the rubbish-heap. Small
changes and adjustments are made upon earlier experiences, tests are made, one
listens to the results, some changes are adopted others are discarded. This
aspect of the courses also make them unique: nowhere else in the world has it
been possible to collect all this experience and knowledge in a similar way.
For my own part these courses have led to a serious addiction and since many
years I find it difficult to imagine a summer without this course.
The 1998
Course
During
the summer course 1998 there were fewer instruments built than before, which
meant a slower pace than usual. Three lute builders attended the course: Alan
Jowett from Canada, Jorge Bertholdo dos Santos from Portugal and Mikael
Forsberg from Sweden. All three had discovered the course on Internet through
this web-page! I myself attended as a guitar builder again but this time making
a copy of an old guitar in my own collection. I was anxious to compare the
differences in sound between a copy and the original instrument. It is of
course nearly impossible to produce an exact copy and all comparisons are very
difficult to make.
The author is making
bindings on the guitar. Photograph: Alan Jowett.
Because
of the international participants the language of the course became English and
gave us Swedes good training. As usual some participants from earlier courses
came to finish and paint their instruments. Mikko Korhonen played the
clavichords during unforgettable evenings and Pekka Vapavuori lectured on his
experiments with the clavichord, and illustrated his talk with his own, new CD.
A couple of new clavichords were built of which one was a modification of the
Specken model. It became a bigger instrument, but not as big as the late
Swedish clavichords. It will be very interesting to hear this clavichord when
it has matured. Almost all lutes, all clavichords and the guitar were playable
at the end of the course and duets were played on the lutes and the guitars.
Arne Lindberg and
Kenneth Sparr plays lute duets in the villa. Photograph: Alan Jowett.
The two
foreign lute builder spent many hours on packing their instruments for the
flight transport. Lutes and flight transports are a difficult area if you want
to arrive with an unbroken instrument. Much thought and packing creativity was
performed! However, both lutes from Marholmen arrived safely to their final
destinations.
From the left Jorge Bertholdo dos
Santos, Alan Jowett and Kenneth Sparr with their fresh instruments. Photograph:
Arne Lindberg
The guitar soon accompanied
its builder to France. There it had its debut at the wedding on 26 August
between the daughter of the builder, Sanna, and Pascal Olivier.
Kenneth Sparr with the
guitar. The father of the groom, Dominique Olivier, is helping with the music
Pictures of the original instrument and the copy of
it:
