The V & A keyboard collection Volume 1
First published July 1968 and issued in association with BBC Radio Enterprises.
Released by Oryx (Peerless) EXP 76 and Musica Rara Mus 70 wihout indication of year.

Side A
HEXAGONAL SPINET ‘Queen Elizabeth’s Virginals’ played by Margaret Hodsdon
00:00 Branle Hoboken – Anon-Dublin Virginal Book
00:40 Alman Prince – Anon- Dublin Virginal Book
01:21 Like as the Lark Byrd – Dublin Virginal Book
02:28 Pavan : Lachrymae – Thomas Morley
04:43 Lord Willobie’s Welcome Home – William Byrd
07:03 The Queen’s Gifte – Holborne
08:21 When griping grief – Anon-Mulliner Book
09:17 I smile to see how you devise – Anon-Mulliner Book
10:09 My Lady Carey’s Dompe – Anon-Mulliner Book
HEXAGONAL SPINET Italian construction, late sixteenth
century . Known as ‘Queen Elizabeth’s Virginals’ since it bears
the English Royal Arms and her personal device. It is
elaborately decorated; each key is composed of 250 separate
pieces: the naturals are ebony with gilded fronts and the
accidentals are inlaid with marquetry in ivory, silver and
various woods. Acquired by the Museum in 1887 for £ 125.
Christopher Hogwood plays this instrument on his Gibbons recording:

ROSSI PENTAGONAL SPINET 1555 played by Valda Aveling
11:10 Nancie – Thomas Morley
15:14 Branle Hoboken – Anon- Dublin Virginal Book
15:43 The Queen’s Alman – William Byrd
PENTAGONAL SPINET by Annibale dei Rossi of Milan,
dated 1555 (illustrated front). The keyboard is flanked by
two small figures carved in the round holding respectively a
Lyra da braccio and a lute.

Side B
HARPSICHORD by Giovanni Baffo, Venice 1574 played by Valda Aveling
See also the V & A document at YouTube
20:55 Passacaglia in g minor – Frescobaldi
23:36 Fugue in g minor – Frescobaldi
27:02 Toccata in G – Alessandro Scarlatti
32:40 Theme & Variations – Alessandro Scalatti
HARPSICHORD by Giovanni Baffo of Venice dated 1574.
This is an exceptionally fine example of the work of the most
eminent sixteenth century maker. The intricate rose is of cut
parchment.

TRIANGULAR SPINET Italian, about 1600 played by Valda Aveling
37:20 Flotenuhr Pieces, 10 – Haydn
38:08 Flotenuhr Pieces, 25 – Haydn
TRIANGULAR SPINET. Italian. c.1600. This is contained in
an outer case, the inside of the lid being decorated with an
entertaining mythological scene. It sounds at four foot pitch
and has three octaves.

WRITING CASE SPINET German, about 1660 – played by Valda Aveling
39:38 Flotenuhr Pieces, 5 – Haydn
40:50 Flotenuhr Pieces, 2 – Haydn
WRITING-CASE SPINET. German, second quarter of the
17th century. Built into a small writing box, and probably
intended as a toy; the keyboard is too small for the adult
hand. It stands on a plinth containing a drawer with a secret
catch, fitted to hold writing materials.

Some pictures of the instruments are no part of the vinyl release and copyright by the Victoria & Albert Museum, London as indicated at the pictures .

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