En expensive instrument, the wing with metal-lined tuning-slide and extending key touchpieces.

• Pictures
• Talk by the player
• The sound of the bassoon
• History
• Technical details
• References

The crook in these recordings is that associated with the instrument.

Top of page

Pictures

Top of page

Talk by the player

• about Biedermeyer style, tuning-slide, adjustable keys, forked fingering

Top of page

The sound of the bassoon

• Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827), excerpt from slow movement from Symphony No. 6 (1808)

Top of page

History

• Maker: Wolfgang Küss.
• Place: Vienna.
• Date of making: c 1830.

Current ownership: Gift of L.G. Langwill, 1981.

(Langwill Collection).

EUCHMI Acquisition number: (150)

Top of page

Technical details

• English name: Bassoon.
• Nominal pitch: C.
• Type: 11 keys.
• Overall size: 1278; crook 230.
• Bore: 8.4.
• Depth of crook well: 23.6.
• Diameter of crook well: 12.4 - 12.2.

Technical description: Dark brown stained maple with brass ferrules and keywork. Unperforated brass crook. Wing with metal-lined tuning-slide in upper part with extending touches. C finger-hole bushed with ivory. Bell with flaring bore and Dresden external profile.

The primary notes given by the keys arranged for the player's fingers are:

• L0: T; Bb; harm 2; harm 1; D.
• L1: T.
• L2: T.
• L3: T; Eb₃.
• L4: Eb₂.
• R0: T; C#; F#.
• R1: T.
• R2: T.
• R3: T; Bb.
• R4: F; Ab.

• Keyhead type: Round cup keys.
• Keymount type: Wood knob and recesses in body wood; pinned.

Inscriptions: Stamped on butt "Küss / Wien".

Usable pitch: Low pitch, A₄ = c 430 Hz.

Performance characteristics: Plays nicely.

Top of page

References to this instrument in publications

Catalogue of the Collection, Volume 1: The Printed Illustrations, p.86

Top of page

All material on this website is copyright.
© Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, 1999-2003, 2008.

This page updated: 29.10.08