Maker Name

Uhlmann (estab. 1776, closed 1838)

Maker Biography

Johann Tobias was oboist at the Theater an der Wien and a ‘Vorsteher’ (master) of the wind instrument makers guild.

Other Information

Specific usage history: According to previous owner, originally used in the Vienna Symphony Orchestra.

Technical Description

Technical description: Probably maple with brass keys and ivory ferrules at all three sockets, bell ring and crook well. There is a small onion-shaped baluster at the top of the instrument. The upper and lower sections are connected by a short knee-joint section with a socket at each end, this makes the lower section bend c 30° from the line of the upper section. The L0 low B key is attached to the lower section, the touchpiece can be folded down when the joints are separated. The thumb rest, which is pierced to take a sling, is mounted away from the instrument with the low B key passing underneath. All the keys are levers except for the ring which is mounted on an axle but closes the brille by means of a lever mechanism. The R4 F♯ key, although still present is no longer usable, as the addition of the mechanism connected to the R2 ring has made it redundant (see RH section below). This alteration has left the brille hole on the side of the instrument. The G♯ key and hole are on the knee-joint section. System: Sellner with later additions L0: 8; B♭; low B. L1: T. L2: T. L3: T; C, L4: G♯; F-dup; E♭-dup. R0: sup. R1: T; C-alt. R2: R. R3: T; F. R4: low C; (F♯); C♯; E♭. Keymount type: blocks with the exception of the R2 ring which is mounted on brass pillars. Keyhead type: cup. Signature/Marks: Stamped on upper section and bell with a crown motif / "I.T. UHLMANN / WIEN" / motif of a circle of six wedges. Stamped on middle section with circle motif / "I. T. UHLMANN / circle motif. Repair History: The key which is now the brille and stands open must have originally stood closed and was opened by the R4 F♯ key. This has been re-sprung to stand open and is closed by the R2 ring which is a later addition and is the only keywork mounted on pillars. The R4 F♯ touch has been left in place. There are no visible signs of other notes having been tuned to allow for this change.

Provenance

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