Antunes (harpsichord makers)


The Antunes family were Portuguese harpsichord- and early piano builders in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Known builders of the family

Julião was the father of Joaquim José; he was a maker of string instruments for the royal chapel in Lisbon

Surviving instruments

There are four Antunes instruments still in existence. Two single manual harpsichords with disposition 8' 8' are signed by Joaquin José: one dated 1758, now in the Museu da Música, Lisbon and one dated 1785, that was in the Finchcocks collection, Goudhurst, Kent until 2016. Their other existing instruments are signed only 'Antunes', probably because they were made by Manuel and Joaquin José working together. These are a grand piano, very similar to their harpsichords in design and construction with an action like that of Bartolomeo Cristofori, made in 1767, now in the National Music Museum, Vermillion, South Dakota and a harpsichord similar to the others made in 1789 in the Museu da Música, Lisbon.

Recordings on original instruments

The existing instruments have been readily seized upon by harpsichordists as the ideal instruments upon which to play the music of Portuguese and Spanish baroque composers such as Carlos Seixas and Manuel Blasco de Nebra. These recordings use original Antunes instruments:
  • Carlos Seixas: Harpsichord Sonatas, played by Cremilde Rosado Fernandes ; Portugalsom CD 870023/PS.
  • Carlos Seixas: Harpsichord Sonatas, played by Robert Woolley ; Amon Ra CD-SAR 43.
  • Carlos Seixas: Harpsichord Sonatas, Sinfonia, Harpsichord Concerto, conducted and played by Ketil Haugsand with the Norwegian Baroque Orchestra; Virgin Veritas 45114.
  • Carlos Seixas: Concerto, Sonatas, played by José Luis González Uriol and Segréis de Lisboa, Portugaler 2003-2
  • Carlos Seixas: 12 Harpsichord Sonatas, played by Rui Paiva, Philips 528 574-2
  • Manuel Blasco de Nebra: Sonatas & Pastorelas, played by Carole Cerasi ; Metronomist MET1064.
  • Lodovico Giustini di Pistoia: Sonate da Cimbalo di Piano, e Forte, detto volgarmente di Martelletti, played by Cremilde Rosado Fernandes, Numérica - NUM 1047
  • Carlos Seixas: Harpsichord Sonatas, played by José Carlos Araújo ; Melographia Portugueza CD 12/001, MPMP.
  • Carlos Seixas: Harpsichord Sonatas, played by José Carlos Araújo ; Melographia Portugueza CD 13/003, MPMP.