Oboe d'amore, nominal pitch: A

C Mahillon

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Instrument

Oboe

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

C Mahillon

Place Made

Europe ; Belgium ; Brussels ; Central Europe

Date Made

Circa 1880

Description

Technical description: Rosewood with german silver keys, crook, bell ring and two ferrules at the joints. The reed well is lined with german silver Simple octave keys. The low C key lowers the R2 and R3 rings and closes the brille. System: Simple L0: 8.1. L1: PP; 8.2. L2: T. L3: TT. L4: G♯; low B; E♭-alt. R0: sup. R1: T; B♭; C. R2: R. R3: R; F. R4: low C; C♯; E♭. Keymount type: pillars. Keyhead type: cup. Performance characteristics: Although the instrument plays at A₄ = 440 Hz, the present crook is very long and may be a later addition to lower the pitch. The original pitch was probably old Philharmonic pitch ( A₄ = 453 Hz). With the present crook it has a pleasant tone in the low register but poor intonation throughout. The second octave key register is particularly weak in tone and intonation, as is the G♯₅. The small number of keys gives the instrument an awkwardly large stretch; the C key on R1 is particularly difficult to reach, C fingered with L2 is possible but rather weak in tone. Usable pitch: Probably originally Old Philharmonic pitch but with present crook the instrument plays at A₄ = 440 Hz. Signature/Marks: It is stamped on the upper section with “GOLD MEDAL / PARIS 1878” / coat of arms / “MAHILLON / LONDON / & / BRUSSELS”. The lower section is stamped with a five-pointed star / “MAHILLON / LONDON” / star. There is no mark on the bell. Accessories: fitted case covered in artificial leather and a reed holder.

Notes

S. Milton, 1993.

Measurements

599.

Provenance

Purchased by H.I. Brackenbury, April 1927, in leather case for £3/10/0. ; Government allocation to the University, 1991.

Collection

C.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection ; MIMEd

Accession Number

0957

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