Burckhardt Tschudi (Burkat Shudi)

Biography

Born at Schwanden, Switzerland, on March 13, 1702, Tschudi came to London in 1718 to work as a cabinetmaker, finding employment with the Flemish harpsichord maker Tabel. In 1732 he established himself as a harpsichord maker at 33 Great Poulteney Street, a house later occupied by Broadwood & Sons until 1903 and where Mozart practiced on a harpsichord Tschudi had built for Frederick the Great. He anglicized his name to Burkat Shudi and, an astute businessman as well as a skilled mechanic, courted the friendship of visiting musicians; Handel introduced his harpsichords to English nobility and reportedly helped secure his appointment as maker to the court of the Prince of Wales, while Haydn was so at home in Shudi's house that he composed many works there. Shudi presented Frederick the Great a harpsichord after the Prussian king's victory at Prague, receiving a portrait ring in return, and in 1776 built two harpsichords for the New Palais at Potsdam. He died August 19, 1773; his partner and son-in-law John Broadwood succeeded him.

Highlights

• Founded the harpsichord-making house in London in 1732 that became John Broadwood & Sons; built the harpsichord on which Mozart later practiced
• Anglicized his name to 'Burkat Shudi' and cultivated friendships with Handel and Haydn to promote his instruments
• Presented a harpsichord to Frederick the Great and later built instruments for the Prussian court

Source

Alfred Dolge, Pianos and Their Makers, Vol. I (1911), p. 244.

Public domain.