Tristan trumpet, C
Maker
Gebrüder Alexander
Date1924 ca.
Place MadeMainz, Germany, Europe
Serial No.none
SignedEmbossed on plaque inside case: GEBR · ALEXANDER / MAINZ [on top of coat of arms of the city of Mainz]MarkingsCrudely engraved on bell: MAJETEK ZEMSKÝ [state-owned] / Majetek Národního divadla / v Praze R – 012. [property National Theater in Prague]
Stamped on tube segment with valve: MAJETEK ZEMSKÝ
Engraved on each wooden tube segment: R-012
Stamped on valve casing: 1
DescriptionAfrican black wood or ebony with brass lining inside (body), brass (valve parts, tuning slide), silver (ferrules), cork (tenons), straight with pear-shaped bell in six segments: telescopic brass tuning slide, first tube with baluster and ligature screw, second tube (without brass lining), third tube with valve section, fourth tube, bell, one Périnet valve lowering the pitch by a whole tone, bottom-sprung, alignment by one key on nickel-silver-plated piston.
Original deep-cupped mouthpiece; original form-fitting case.
This instrument was the property of the National Opera in Prague (Volkstheather), and passed on to composer Miloš Vacek (1928–2012) after World War II. It was used in performances of Richard Wagner's opera Tristan und Isolde (instead of the customary English horn) to play the happy shepherd's melody on stage in the Third Act.
DimensionsSounding length: 1158 mm
Bore diameter (initial, minimum, valve slides): 12.6 mm, 10.9 mm, 10.9 mm
Bore diameter (telescopic tuning slide, initial, minimum): 10.7 mm, 9.8 mm
Bell diameter: 79 mm
ProvenancePurchased from Dr. Gunther Joppig, Munich, Germany, 2000.
Published ReferencesSabine K. Klaus. "'Tristan' Trumpet by Gebr. Alexander," in "Historical Instrument Window," Edward H. Tarr, editor, International Trumpet Guild Journal 26, No. 4 (August 2002), p. 64.
-------. "A Wooden Trumpet Built Exclusively for Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde' is Added to the Utley Collection," America's National Music Museum Newsletter 29, No. 3 (August 2002), pp. 4-5.
Credit LineJoe R. and Joella F. Utley Collection, 2000
Object number09966
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