Pascal Taskin

Pascal-Joseph Taskin (1723-1793) was a French harpsichord and piano builder. His seven surviving two-manual harpsichords are prime examples of the late French school of harpsichord building, with their characteristically warm and rich tone, five-octave compass, and 2x8', 1x4' plus buff disposition. In particular, his 1769 harpsichord has probably been studied, copied, and played more than any other harpsichord in the world.

Taskin, like many other late French builders, rebuilt surviving instruments by the famed Ruckers family to increase their range, and was not above building counterfeit Ruckers instruments himself. The last known Taskin instrument, a double dated 1788, has a soundboard rose signed "Andreas Ruckers" and a Flemish-style painted soundboard.

References

Kottick, Edward: A History of the Harpsichord. Bloomington, IN, Indiana University Press, 2003