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Fredericus Beck 1778

Description

Date:

1778

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Origin:

London

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Serialnumber:

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Arnold Frederick Beck was one of the most distinguished piano makers of the 18^th century. Born around 1738 in Württemberg, Beck emigrated via France to London in the mid-18^th century, where he established himself as an instrument maker and founded a workshop in Soho. His career coincided with a period of transformation in musical instrument manufacturing, as the harpsichord was increasingly supplanted by the newly emerging fortepiano.

Beck specialized in the construction of square pianos, incorporating innovative mechanical solutions into his instruments. These developments were influenced by contemporary advancements made by Johann Christoph Zumpe and other leading piano makers of the time. However, Beck’s particular skill lay in refining these techniques and crafting instruments that were not only technically precise but also acoustically outstanding. His square pianos set new benchmarks in terms of tonal clarity and dynamic responsiveness. The design of his instruments was not only functional but also aesthetically sophisticated. Beck placed great emphasis on the selection of high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship. These details elevated his pianos beyond mere musical instruments to works of art, which held a prestigious place in the homes of the affluent bourgeoisie.

The instrument presented here is a rare example of Frederick Beck’s craftsmanship. This square piano, built in London in 1778, is one of only three surviving Beck instruments featuring an exceptionally rare stand with cabriole legs. Among these three, it is the oldest known example. This type of stand is not only unique among Beck’s surviving instruments but also represents an exceptional feature in the broader context of late 18th-century English square pianos, as it is collapsible. To date, only five other English instruments with foldable legs are known:

• Charles Trute, ca. 1771?
• Ferdinand Weber, 1772
• Frederick Beck, London, 1780/86? – known as the first piano arrived in Australia
• Frederick Beck, 1789
• Ferdinand Weber, undated
• Longman & Broderip, ca. 1790

(see Lancaster, G.: The First Fleet Piano, A Musician’s View, The Australian National University Press, 2015; and Cole, Michael: Frederick Beck Piano Maker).

The instrument and stand are crafted from mahogany, adorned with multi-coloured banded inlays in a simplified version of Tunbridgeware, a design typical of Beck’s early instruments. It features a five-octave range (FF – f3), and the keyboard is made of ivory and ebony. To the left of the keyboard, three hand-operated stops control divided dampers and a lute stop. The nameboard bears an elongated cartouche inscribed with:

“Fredericus Beck Londini Fecit 1778

No. 1 and 10 Broad Street Golden Square”

On either side of the cartouche, three filled holes are visible, indicating that the instrument was originally equipped with a pair of candle holders, which are no longer present (see Cole, Michael: Frederick Beck Piano Maker).

Tafelklavier Fredericus Beck, London 1778 – Eric Feller Collection (Nameboard)

The square piano is double-strung with a simple single action after Zumpe. It features single dampers, though a notable characteristic is that damping extends only up to c3. This distinctive feature is a hallmark of Beck’s instruments, as it deviates significantly from the conventional damping systems employed by other piano makers of the time. This innovation allows the undamped strings to vibrate freely, producing a resonance rich in overtones, which enhances the instrument’s tonal depth and brilliance.

Frederick Beck’s decision to exclude dampers from the highest five notes of his square pianos represents a unique innovation, likely inspired by the contemporary English aesthetic preference for a tone that was resonant and overtone-rich.

Arnold Frederick Beck was presumably born in 1738 in Württemberg and was baptized in the same region on May 30, 1738. After 1756, he left Germany and travelled via France to London. Between 1756 and approximately 1762, Beck settled in Paris, where he established a workshop at 364 Rue Saint-Denis. During this period, he maintained business relations with the renowned harpsichord maker Pascal Taskin (1723–1793), who sold instruments made by Beck. According to Frank Hubbard, Taskin was indebted to Beck for 660 livres in 1777 (see Hubbard, F.: Three Centuries of Harpsichord Making, Harvard University Press, 1965).

During this time, Beck left the European continent and relocated to London. From 1763 onward, he began manufacturing guitars there. In that same year, his residential and business address was recorded as Glassonbury Court, near Covent Garden Market. In the 1760s, Beck entered into a business partnership with Charles Pinto († 1791), about whom little information is available. Only one surviving guitar from 1764 bears the inscription “Pinto and Beck.”

On November 20, 1765, Beck was documented as serving as a juror at the Westminster Coroner’s Court, with his address still listed at Glassonbury Court. Between 1769 and 1773, he collaborated with the firm Longman, Lukey & Co., one of the most prestigious companies in the London musical instrument trade. On September 23, 1770, he married Mary Coles in London. By mid-1771, Beck had relocated his residence and workshop to 4 Broad Street, Carnaby Market.

In the late 1770s, the house number of his property on Broad Street was changed from 4 to 10. On September 7, 1779, Beck entered into a second marriage with Rose Ann Shudi. Between 1782 and 1791, they had six children, including three sons.

Between 1780 and 1789, Beck manufactured an average of 222 pianos per year, indicating both a substantial production capacity and high demand for his instruments. Toward the end of 1790, he began collaborating with piano maker George Corrie. Beck remained active in piano production at 10 Broad Street as late as 1794. It is assumed that he passed away around 1798.

His instruments are still regarded as outstanding examples of 18th-century musical instrument craftsmanship and continue to be of great interest to collectors, museum collections, and musicians alike.

Other Surviving Instruments by Arnold Frederick Beck:

• 1769 Square Piano – McLean Museum, Inverclyde, Scotland
• 1778 Square Piano – Royal Museums of Art and History, Brussels, Belgium
• c. 1785 Square Piano – Hamamatsu Museum of Musical Instruments, Hamamatsu, Japan