"Oboe d'amore, nominal pitch: A"

Oboe d'amore, nominal pitch: A | C Mahillon | Circa 1880

The oboe d'amore is built to play three semitones lower than the usual oboe, the lower pitch gives it a fascinatingly dark tone quality. It was used by a number of composers in the first half of the 18th century, most importantly by J.S. Bach. The instrument fell into disuse in the 2nd half of the 18th century and was only revived with resurgence of interest in Bach's music at the end of the 19th century. Government allocation to the University. (C.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection).

Oboe

Instrument Data

Instrument Information

Title

Oboe d'amore, nominal pitch: A

Accession Number

0957

Collection

MIMEd; C.H. Brackenbury Memorial Collection

Date Information

Date Made

Circa 1880

Period

19th century; 1870s; 1880s

Gallery Information

Gallery

Wolfson Gallery

Case

Woodwind case 2

Maker Information

Maker Name

C Mahillon (b.1813, d.1887)

Maker Biography

The Mahillon firm of brass instrument makers was founded in Brussels in 1836 by Charles Borromée Mahillon (1813-1887), a member of the firm Bachmann & Mahillon. By 1844 they opened a branch in London, and were a well-known factory in Belgium, supplying instruments to the Army. In 1865 his eldest son Victor Charles (1841-1924) took over the firm. He was a prominent organologist, journalist, and acoustician who became Brussels’ first ‘Conservateur,’ publishing several works on the acoustics of wind instruments. Following the death of Victor Charles, his son, Ferdinand Charles (1866-1922) took over the firm. The firm dissolved in 1935, following Belgian political conflicts and family disinterest in the firm’s management.

Made In

City

Brussels

Country

Belgium

Description

Technical Description

Technical description: Rosewood with german silver keys, crook, bell ring and two ferrules at the joints. The reed well is lined with german silver Simple octave keys. The low C key lowers the R2 and R3 rings and closes the brille. System: Simple L0: 8.1. L1: PP; 8.2. L2: T. L3: TT. L4: G♯; low B; E♭-alt. R0: sup. R1: T; B♭; C. R2: R. R3: R; F. R4: low C; C♯; E♭. Keymount type: pillars. Keyhead type: cup. Performance characteristics: Although the instrument plays at A₄ = 440 Hz, the present crook is very long and may be a later addition to lower the pitch. The original pitch was probably old Philharmonic pitch ( A₄ = 453 Hz). With the present crook it has a pleasant tone in the low register but poor intonation throughout. The second octave key register is particularly weak in tone and intonation, as is the G♯₅. The small number of keys gives the instrument an awkwardly large stretch; the C key on R1 is particularly difficult to reach, C fingered with L2 is possible but rather weak in tone. Usable pitch: Probably originally Old Philharmonic pitch but with present crook the instrument plays at A₄ = 440 Hz. Signature/Marks: It is stamped on the upper section with “GOLD MEDAL / PARIS 1878” / coat of arms / “MAHILLON / LONDON / & / BRUSSELS”. The lower section is stamped with a five-pointed star / “MAHILLON / LONDON” / star. There is no mark on the bell. Accessories: fitted case covered in artificial leather and a reed holder.

Provenance

Purchased by H.I.|Brackenbury, April 1927, in leather case for £3/10/0.; Government allocation to the University, 1991.

Classification