A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Broadwood

BROADWOOD (John Broadwood and Sons). The house which has borne this name and been identified with pianoforte-making in London from the introduction of the instrument, was established by a harpsichord-maker, Burkhard Tschudi, a descendant of the Schwanden branch of the noble Swiss family of that name (Schweizerische Lexicon, art. 'Tschudi,' Zurich, 1795). In England he wrote his name Shudi, and established himself about the year 1732 at the house (afterwards No. 33) in Great Pulteney Street, Golden Square, the sign he adopted, before it was numbered, according to the custom of the time, being the 'Plume of Feathers.' Tschudi, originally a joiner, had been the pupil of Tabel, a Flemish harpsichord-maker settled in London, who had himself been taught in the famous house of Ruckers at Antwerp. Through merit and the recommendation of Handel, Tschudi was made harpsichord-maker to the royal family of England. A fine double harpsichord, made by him in 1740, was long preserved in Kew Palace, and is now in Windsor Castle. He was also patronised by Frederick the Great, two harpsichords made by Tschudi being still in the royal palace at Potsdam. Burney spoke of his tone being refined and delicate, and compared his instruments with those of his rival Kirkman, also a pupil of Tabel. Tschudi's only patent was taken out in 1769, for a Venetian swell to the harpsichord (see Venetian Swell), probably the invention of his son-in-law and partner John Broadwood, the latter a journeyman cabinet-maker who came from Scotland to London, found employment at Tschudi's, married Tschudi's daughter, and was taken into partnership by his father-in-law, who retired in 1773, but as late as 1794 the joint names appear as the style of the firm in a Musical Directory. About 1770 the first grand pianoforte made in London had been constructed by a Dutchman, Americus Backers, with the assistance of John Broadwood and his apprentice Robert Stodart. Backers died about 1781, recommending his action to John Broadwood's care; and, allowing for some change in the proportion of parts, it is the same Messrs. Broadwood still use, known on the Continent as the English action. In 1783 John Broadwood took out a patent for a change in the construction of the square pianoforte, by which the wrest-plank holding the tuning-pins was removed from the right-hand side, as in the old clavichord, to the back of the instrument. He also introduced the division of the bridge on the soundboard of the grand piano. These improvements were so important that they were afterwards everywhere adopted. John Broadwood died in 1812. His sons, James Shudi and Thomas Broadwood did much to extend the business, the former having recognised claims as a progressive pianoforte-maker. The continued history of the house is so intimately connected with the modern development of the instrument that further reference to it must be sought under Pianoforte. The present head of the firm (1877) is Mr. Henry Fowler Broadwood.

[ A. J. H. ]