With alternative wing sections for low and high pitch, giving an instrument with 12 or 13 keys respectively. Savary was the best maker of the tenoroon, an instrument lacking its own repertoire and probably mainly made for children to learn bassoon technique. (Reid Collection).
Jean Nicholas Savary (1786-1853) was a French born woodwind instrument maker who supplied instruments to the royal Italian theatre orchestra, Academy and royal school. He pioneered bassoon improvements included a wing with mechanical tuning slide. In 1826 he closed his workshop, dedicating his time instead to teaching bassoon performance. He was referred to by many as the ‘Stradivari of bassoon.’
He probably started making instruments independently of his father (few of whose instruments survive) in his own workshop in 1823. In that year, he introduced key-rollers to the instrument, a ‘bascule’ (a sort of drawbridge with counter-weight) mechanism, and ratchet-driven tuning-slides on the wings.
As in this case, his instruments were usually dated.
Made In
City
Paris
Country
France
Description
Technical Description
Technical description: Maple with brass ferrules, bell rim, keywork and crooks. With two crooks: one with hole (shorter) and one without hole (longer). Extra wing for lower pitch. Ingenious linkage to low D key to facilitate low C♯₂ and low B♮₂. Either of the two harmonic keys (on the shorter wing) operates the crook key.
L0: C plate; B♭; B♮; harm 1; harm 2; E♭; D; C♯.
L1: T.
L2: T.
L3: T.
L4: C♯ (on shorter wing only),
R0: T; F♯.
R1: T.
R2: T.
R3: T; B♭.
R4: F; A♭.
Usable pitch: with wing 1: Modern pitch, A⁴ = c 440 Hz; with wing 2:- Low pitch, A⁴ = c 435 Hz.
Performance characteristics: Best at A₄ = c 435 Hz with longer joint and crook.
Signature / Marks: Stamped on butt with sunburst and "Savary / jeune / A PARIS" / sunburst; and on reverse "1840"; also stamped on shorter wing "1" and on longer wing "2".
Decoration: Ornamental D flap guard.
Specific literature references: G.S. (1968) No. 235.
Illustration references: G.S. (1968) Plate X (2).