Pedal harp
ca. 1810 | Franz Brunner
Until the early 19th century, the harp was restricted to playing in a limited range of keys, owing to the diatonic tuning of its strings. By turning hooks or employing a pedal mechanism, single strings could be tuned a semitone higher, enabling a player to change key to a certain extent. As every diatonic scale is made up of seven notes, the harp needs seven pedals. Brunner’s harp has an additional pedal that activates a swell mechanism which opens and shuts five flaps located on the back of the soundbox. This offered the possibility for further dynamic contrast. However, the effect was limited, and this feature failed to catch on. (rh)
Lit.: Rudolf Hopfner: Masterpieces from the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. A Short Guide through the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Vol. 1, Vienna 2019.
Until the early 19th century, the harp was restricted to playing in a limited range of keys, owing to the diatonic tuning of its strings. By turning hooks or employing a pedal mechanism, single strings could be tuned a semitone higher, enabling a player to change key to a certain extent. As every diatonic scale is made up of seven notes, the harp needs seven pedals. Brunner’s harp has an additional pedal that activates a swell mechanism which opens and shuts five flaps located on the back of the soundbox. This offered the possibility for further dynamic contrast. However, the effect was limited, and this feature failed to catch on. (rh)
Lit.: Rudolf Hopfner: Masterpieces from the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. A Short Guide through the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Vol. 1, Vienna 2019.
Manufacturer:
Franz Brunner
Time:
ca. 1810
Object Name
Pedal harp
Culture
Austria, Vienna
Dimensions:
1670 mm x 855 mm x 560 mm
Copyright
Kunsthistorisches Museum, Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente
Invs.
Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente, 998
Browse more
Similar items you might be interested in
Manufacturer: Martin Kaiser 2nd half of the 17th century
Manufacturer: Johann Baptist Merklein approx. 1800
Manufacturer: anonym 2nd half of the 16th century (assigned)
Manufacturer: Hendrik Richters beginning of the 18th century
Manufacturer: Michael Leichamschneider 1732
Manufacturer: Joerg Neuschel 1557
Manufacturer: Michael Leichamschneider 1741
Manufacturer: Matthäus Seelos 1st half of the 17th century
Manufacturer: Anton Meidting December 1587
Manufacturer: Fa. Bösendorfer 1867
Manufacturer: Anton Schnitzer 1581
Manufacturer: Antonio Ciciliano presumably after 1602
Manufacturer: Wenzel Kowansky 1749
Manufacturer: Girolamo de Virchis 1574
Manufacturer: Johann Baptist Streicher 1840