"Basson russe, nominal pitch: C"

Basson russe, nominal pitch: C | Cuvillier | Undated

"The "russian bassoon" is neither Russian nor a bassoon, but is French and shares with the bassoon the wooden U-tube in a single piece of wood. (Frank Tomes Collection)

Russian bassoon

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Basson russe, nominal pitch: C

Alternative Title

Basson russe.

Accession Number

6099

Collection

MIMEd; Frank Tomes Collection

Date Information

No information recorded.

Gallery Information

Gallery

Wolfson Gallery

Case

Brasswind case 4

Maker Information

Maker Name

Cuvillier

Maker Biography

The Cuvillier family was established in 1789 in St. Omar in France. Their maker’s mark was a fleur-de-lis followed by their name (Cuvillier) and a five pointed star. No apparent emphasis on one instrument over another in their production process.

Made In

Country

France

Description

Technical Description

3 keys, in five sections: brass crook, wooden wing with three finger-holes and one key on platform with rounded shoulders, wooden butt with three finger-holes and one key, wooden long joint with one key, brass flaring bell with garland. The finger-holes and key for the right hand vent the distal (ascending) bore, the finger-hole for R2 also vents the proximal (descending) bore. Brass mounts on wooden sections at crook receiver, top and bottom of butt and top of long joint; flat brass plate at bottom of butt. The crook has a screw-fixable clasp at the joint tenon to set depth of insertion. L0: 3rd key (numbered from nearest to mouthpiece receiver). L1: 1st finger-hole. L2: 2nd finger-hole. L3: 3rd finger-hole. L4: 1st key. R1: 6th finger-hole. R2: 4th finger-hole. R3: 5th finger-hole. R4: 2nd key. Keymount type: brass saddles, SATK. Keyhead type: flat round.

Provenance

Gift of Susan Tomes, 2012.

Classification