"Contrabass serpent, nominal pitch: 16-ft C"

Contrabass serpent, nominal pitch: 16-ft C | Joseph and Richard Wood | Circa 1840

Contrabass serpent, nominal pitch: 16-ft C thumbnail 2

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This is the only known example of a contrabass serpent apart from modern creations. Played for some 20 years by the makers in Almondbury Church, Huddersfield and on occasion in York Minster. Possibly also played by the makers in local bands. Used more recently in the 1956 Hoffnung Music Festival and by the London Serpent Trio 1985 1988. Latterly called by some `The Anaconda'. Lent by A. Myers. (2930) Mouthpiece for contrabass serpent. Circa 1840. Probably original for instrument (2929). Lent by A. Myers.

Serpent

Joseph and Richard Wood

Huddersfield

Europe

England

United Kingdom

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Contrabass serpent, nominal pitch: 16-ft C

Accession Number

2929

Collection

MIMEd; Object Lessons

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1840

Period

19th century; 1830s; 1840s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Wolfson Gallery

Case

Anaconda case 9

Maker Information

Maker Name

Joseph and Richard Wood

Made In

City

Huddersfield

Country

England

Description

Other Information

General usage of type: This is the only known octave contrabass serpent apart from modern examples. Specific usage history: Played for some 20 years by the makers in Almondbury Church, Huddersfield, and on occasion in York Minster. Possibly also played by the makers in local bands. Used more recently in the 1956 Hoffnung Music Festival, by the London Serpent Trio 1985 - 1988 and in the Serpent Celebration, St John's, Smith Square, London, 13th July 1990. Dubbed `The Anaconda' by Morley Pegge (1959).

Technical Description

Overall size: 1360.
Bore: distal end of alternative crook 35.4, bell 197.
Dia of mouthpiece receiver: m.r.t. (original crook) 14.2 13.2, (alternative crook) 13.4 13.2.

Technical description: Wood with leather binding; brass stays, bell mount, crook receiver mount, keywork and crooks; crook overall lengths: original 1360, alternative 1034; no finger holes; keys arranged for right hand held under tube.
L0:Bb.
L1:B.
L2:A.
L3:Ab.
L4:G.
R0:C#; D.
R1:Eb.
R2:E.
R3:F.
R4:F#.

Keyhead type: flat round.

No inscriptions.

Wooden case made by C.W. Monk c 1985.

Restored by C.W. Monk c 1985. Alternative crook made by Ted Kirby for C.W. Monk c 1985.

General usage of type: This is the only known octave contrabass serpent apart from modern examples.

Usable pitch: Plays at A4 = 465 Hz with original crook and mouthpiece.
Performance characteristics: Good response throughout range. A detailed fingering chart for use at A4 = 465 Hz prepared by A. van der Beek is in the owner's documentation.

Purchased by lender with and probably formerly used with mouthpiece (2941), probably made for this instrument.

Specific literature references: Morley Pegge 1959; G.S. (1986) No 125; Phillips auction catalogue 16.03.89, lot 48; Dullat 1992, p.110.
Illustration references: Galpin Society Journal XII (1959) Plate II; G.S. (1986) No 125; Phillips auction catalogue 16.3.89, Plate 3; Dullat 1992, p.111.
Specific usage history: Played for some 20 years by the makers in Almondbury Church, Huddersfield, and on occasion in York Minster. Possibly also played by the makers in local bands. Used more recently in the 1956 Hoffnung Music Festival, by the London Serpent Trio 1985 1988 and in the Serpent Celebration, St John's, Smith Square, London, 13th July 1990. Dubbed `The Anaconda' by Morley Pegge (1959).

Provenance

Until 1989 in the ownership of the descendants of the makers. ; on loan to the Collection.

Classification