After receiving its first Really Big Time commission from the Kennedy Center, the shop had the harpsichord ready for delivery in the spring of 1978. Its appearance had to be practical (baluster trestle stand) and appropriate for whoever did whatever in any of the halls. Black and cream and gold seemed both elegant and all-purpose. More than 47 years later, it just finished a Marriage of Figaro run in the Opera House and is getting ready for the symphony’s annual Messiah week in the Concert Hall. A “sister” instrument (more efficient to make multiples) started out with only a painted rose garland as decoration, so plain that it photographed better against a spectacular Chinese carpet. Eventually it migrated to Spain, where the owner added chinoiserie panels to the lid interior. And then a decade ago it came into the hands of the brilliant Jean Rondeau in Paris. One harpsichord stayed put, the other traveled, and both are still hard at work.
As the instruments received more public notice, increasing attention was paid to the shop in a variety of articles. Oh! – and in 1978 Tom made his first double bass, a baroque instrument.
