Oboe, nominal pitch: C

S Koch

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Instrument

Oboe

Instrument Family

Wind

Maker

S Koch

Place Made

Central Europe ; Austria ; Europe ; Vienna

Date Made

Circa 1825-Circa 1830

Description

Technical description: Boxwood with silver keys and four ivory ferrules at reed well, sockets and bell. There is a tuning-slide at the reed well. Socket of middle section is unlined, bell socket is lined, probably with german silver. There is a silver plate on the bell as if for an inscription. There is one small vent-hole in the bell which is bushed with ivory. There is an onion shaped baluster at the top of the instrument. All keys are levers with the exception of the L1 pierced-plate mechanism which is on an axle mounted above the L1 hole. The L0 low B key is attached to the middle section, the touchpiece folded down when the joints are separated; this arrangement means that the low B key must pass under the thumb-rest which is mounted away from the oboe. The link of the low B key between the middle and bell sections is by means of a deep fork connecting at right-angles. There is no inward flange at the base of the bell. System: Sellner system L0: 8; B♭-dup; low B. L1: PP. L2: T. L3: T. L4: G♯; E♭-dup; F-alt. R0: sup. R1: T; B♭; C. R2: T. R3: T; F. R4: low C; F♯; C♯; E♭. Keymount type: blocks and raised rings with the exception of the L1 pierced plate which is on metal pillars. Keyhead type: flat, round. The keyheads for low C and low B are mounted on a universal pivot to ensure correct seating of the pad. These are the only large open standing holes on the instrument. Performance characteristics: A pleasantly open if rather small tone quality, good intonation and an even and reliable response. Usable pitch: A₄ = 425 Hz. Signature/Marks: Stamped on middle section only with trademark (possibly of double headed eagle) / "S. KOCH / WIEN". The stamp is very faint. A mark above the L1 hole may be a similar stamp but this has been largely obscured by the pillars of the pierced plate. Repair History: The cracks in the bell have necessitated quite extensive repairs; the low B hole has been bushed, probably with horn, and the socket of the bell has been lined with metal. The ivory ferrule at the bell socket is less yellowed than the others indicating that this has been replaced as part of the repair. The L1 pierced plate is probably a later addition.

Other Information

Specific usage history: Originally used in the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

Notes

S. Milton, 1993.

Measurements

553.

Provenance

Purchased by H.I. Brackenbury from Howarth for £4/0/0; purchased by Howarth from grandson (who himself played oboe and cor anglais in the Vienna Opera House) of the original player in 1896. ; Government allocation to the University, 1991.

Collection

MIMEd ; C.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection

Accession Number

1027

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