Lorenz Hauslaib Claviorgan

This is one of the few existing examples of a 16th-century claviorgan, an instrument formed by an organ (wind instrument) and a spinet (string instrument).In the spring of 2013 we completed the restoration and recovered its unique sound so the audience can hear today.

Claviorgue Hauslaib Claviorgan. Lorenz Hauslaib, Nuremberg, c. 1590. MDMB 821. Photo: J. Parer, 1999  Claviorgue Hauslaib_nova_g Hauslaib Claviorgan

Nuremberg (?), c. 1590.
In the course of the 16th century, the claviorgan became an instrument which was highly esteemed by the Spanish courts as a symbol of technological and social ostentation.

It is a positive organ integrated in a square cabinet in the shape of a chest with drawers in front. The decoration of the cabinet is made with tortoiseshell platings on a red background and with ebony, featuring silver applications and two bronze figures inside the doors. The bellows are integrated into the upper part of the cabinet; the keyboard, of 41 keys, is plated with ebony and ivory. The composition of the instrument is of three ranks of pipes and one of reeds. Inside the organ is the inscription which reads in translation: "This Organ is of the Most Excellent Gentleman Mr Baltasar de Zuñiga, Marqués of Aguilafuente, Count of Villalba". This, the organ's first owner, was born in the mid 16th century and died in Madrid in 1622. Among other offices, he held that of ambassador to Flanders and to France, subsequently becoming Philip IV's first minister.

Made at the organ workshop of Lorenz Hauslaib in Nuremberg, this claviorgan is a magnificent example of a Renaissance musical instrument which has reached our days without alterations of its original timbre, arrangement and tuning. The study and restoration of the claviorgan, carried out in the in the last years, posed new questions about the relations between the Flemish organ-builders and the earlier Hispanic schools, allowing the organ's recovery for musical use.

The organ building workshop in El Papiol Grenzing Gerhard, who has restored the claviorgan, and the historical keyboard specialist Joan Martí, who rebuilt the small harpsichord, have made possible a unique recovery Barcelona claviorgan.

Since the Spring of 2013 the claviorgan Hauslaib is a living testimony of its time to tell us about the composition and the sound of music of XVI century. Your can hear it here: the work is Differences with Breaded Gallant Antonio de Cabezon played by Juan de la Rubia.

The claviorgan Hauslaib is permanently exposed in the museum.

For the study process, restoration and recovery of the claviorgan and harpsichord, and also to hear some tracks with the claviorgan, we have published an e-book available in www.documentauniversitaria.cat