“LANCELOT”: A new legend is born

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November 1, 2024

It is always interesting to note that the Arthurian Romance was as much part of the flowering of French mediaeval literature as that of the English. It is, therefore, fitting that our latest contribution to the world of the lever harp derives its name from Lancelot, the knight who was crucial to the greatest of legends, a symbol that unites poetic strands of both Anglo-Celtic and French culture.

Lancelot in mahogany finish ©Vincent Jacques

Raised in the mythical realm of the lady of the lake and the personal champion of Queen Guinevere, Lancelot was famed for his prowess and his vigour, something reflected in the elegant design of this new harp: clean and uncluttered and slender of column.

The rigorous research and development process of this harp bears witness to our commitment to the harp community. A process fuelled by careful consideration of the needs and expectations of our clients. The gut strings have been optimised in terms of length and tension to deliver a powerful sound and exceptional playing comfort.

Lancelot in natural maple finish ©Vincent Jacques

We also consider the needs of our clients for both progress and ease, which is also reflected in the range and gauge of the strings. Its natural gut strings, down to the A in the 5th octave, are identical to those of the pedal harp, ensuring a smooth and familiar transition for anybody who regularly changes between the pedal and lever harp. The new “heavy” wire strings for the lever harp ensure a better transition between the bass and medium ranges, enriching the instrument’s sound palette and delivering the warmth and solidity in the bass that our clients expect.

©Vincent Jacques

The specialised stringing is complemented by adjustments to the resonance box, which has been reworked to assure richness and an incomparable depth of timbre.

Lancelot follows in the footsteps of another legend in terms of Camac’s production; after 20 years of success with our iconic Korrigan harp, this harp redefines excellence in gut-string lever harps. Camac’s craftsmen have succeeded in combining tradition and innovation, and Lancelot exemplifies our engagement with these values.

©Vincent JACQUES

This combination of new inspiration and our commitment to honouring the traditional craftsmanship and values that we prize is reflected in the photographs we have commissioned from our great friend Vincent Jacques. Vincent, who here combines his artistry with his passion for architecture, has captured the beauty of the Lancelot harp, using quintessential sites from the Ile de Nantes as its backdrop. How better to praise the parallel qualities of newness and tradition than in the great city so near to our home?

Speaking of home: if you live in France and you wish to experience Lancelot for yourself, The Camac team will be travelling around France to present the instrument. We will be visiting Lille, Brest, Caen, Nantes, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Marseille, Nice, Lyon, Beaune, Strasbourg and others. If you teach or reside in these areas, do not hesitate to contact our colleague @pierreleleviercamac and organise a demonstration.

Remember: Lancelot isn’t only a harp, it is a faithful companion, ready to reveal the depth and richness of its every note.