I like this, Clones.
Weighing in on the piano/harpsichord debate, it may also be that the fact that you can actually have dynamics with a piano is influential in people's opinions: the harpsichord, playing at constant volume, requires a change in the actual notes played to effect a distinction between dynamic levels.
I personally really like the harpsichord sound, but for some reason I always find myself stymied when I try and write a harpsichord piece -- maybe it's got something to do with the fact that I'm a pianist, and I'm too fixed in my piano ways to know how to really make use of what the harpsichord *does* have, rather than being frustrated by what it doesn't.