Previous Next

Rackett

16th century, Manufacturer: anonym

 

 

Rackett

Like crumhorns racketts are played with a double reed - in this case directly blown. The reed is fixed into the upper end of the body and protected by a pirouette against which the player rests its lips. A special feature of the raccett's construction is the greater length of the bore, which, despite the shortness of the instrument, gives it a lower pitch range. This is achieved through nine parallel, interconnected bores within its cylindrical body. The air column responsible for this pitch range is thereby ‘folded’. However, since the finger-holes are not arranged in one line, the player has to contend with very unusual fingerings. (rh)

Lit.:
Rudolf Hopfner: Masterpieces from the Collection of Historic Musical Instruments. A Short Guide through the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, Vol. 1, Vienna 2019
Ausstellungskatalog: Für Aug' und Ohr. Musik in Kunst- und Wunderkammern, Schloß Ambras 1999, Wien 1999.
Julius Schlosser: Die Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente. Beschreibendes Verzeichnis, Wien 1920.

Currently not displayed.

Object data

Object Name

Rackett

Culture

Germany

Dated

16th century

Manufacturer

Dimensions Cover size is a museum or exhibition-specific information. It does not specify the real dimensions of the musical instrument.

120 mm x 50 mm x 50 mm

Image rights

Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien, Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente

Inv. No.

Sammlung alter Musikinstrumente, 213

Kunst & Patenschaft

This object is still without a Art Patron. Accept the patronage and make sure that this cultural treasure is preserved for future generations.
Your donation is a direct and sustainable contribution to the scientific documentation, research, restoration, and presentation of the artworks of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien.

Become an art patron