"Contrabassoon, nominal pitch: C"

Contrabassoon, nominal pitch: C | F. Czermak | Circa 1830

5 keys. Built to be fingered as a normal bassoon, but sounding an octave lower (but with compass only to D1). The contrabassoon (or double bassoon) was more frequently used in German-speaking lands at this time in bands and orchestrally; in France and Britain the serpent played a comparable role more often. Purchased with the assistance of the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund and the Pilgrim Trust.

Double bassoon

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Contrabassoon, nominal pitch: C

Accession Number

2805

Collection

MIMEd

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1830

Period

19th century; 1820s; 1830s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Wolfson Gallery

Case

Woodwind case 2

Maker Information

Maker Name

F. Czermak (b.Circa 1765, d.1841)

Maker Biography

Franz Czernak (c1765/7 – 1841) was a woodwind instrument maker in Prague. Little more seems known about him or his son (also Franz, c1792/3 – 1871).

Made In

City

Prague

Country

Czech Republic

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Maple; brass keywork, bell rim and crook, possibly original. The crook in two parts with telescopic slide connecting joint. Lower wing: F, G♯, Lower `long joint': F♯. Upper `long joint': two interconnected E♭ keys. The lower three joints (lower wing, lower `long joint' and butt) permanently fixed, with fitting for carrying sling at top end. The other joints dismountable. The open F key tone-hole is bushed to ensure better pad seal. L0: D; E♭. L1: T. L2: T. L3: T. R0: T; F♯. R1: T. R2: T. R3: T. R4: F; A♭. A connecting device securing the upper wing to its adjacent joint is partially missing; the screw hole on the wing having become enlarged so as to perforate the bore. A crack has been pinned. Performance characteristics: Compass to D₁. Signature / Marks: Stamped on upper wing, butt, lower `long joint' and upper `long joint' with Hapsburg eagle / "F. Cz... / Prag" and on bell with Hapsburg eagle / "F. Cz...n / ... / Prag" parts illegible; stamped on butt with two owner's marks, and hammer and pickaxe within a circle - this could be the stamp of a `Berghoboistenkapelle' (miners' band), such expensive instruments would seldom have been private property. Illustration references: Vol. 1 p.85. Current ownership: Purchased in 1987 with assistance from the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund.

Provenance

Purchased in 1987 with assistance from the Government's Local Museums Purchase Fund.

Classification