He was born in Schwanden in the Canton of Glarus, and arrived in England in 1718, where he started work as a joiner.
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His harpsichords drew on the Flemish tradition, dominated by Ruckers, whose harpsichords had become extremely prized in the 18th century; he himself owned and hired out two Ruckers harpsichords.
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Charles Burney preferred the tone of Shudi's harpsichords to Kirkman’s and his instruments were highly valued; his customers included Frederick the Great, Empress Maria Theresa, Joseph Haydn, Muzio Clementi, the Prince of Wales, Thomas Gainsborough, and George Frideric Handel.
Burkat |