Details
Image(s)
TitlePortable Street Barrel Organ 'Harmonipan'
Creator Bacigalupo & Graffigna Cocchi (organbuilder)
PlaceBerlin (Germany)
Year ca. 1891 - ca. 1894
Object number0020
Object categorymechanical instruments with organ pipes
Object nameportable barrel organ, organ with cylinder
DescriptionThis portable barrel organ still has a set of leather straps which the organ grinder would have worn around his neck and left shoulder so that he could turn the organ with his right hand. The case is decorated with inlay. On the back and sides there is a border of rectangular chequered motifs. On the front, the brand name (HARMONIPAN) and the name and address of the manufacturer are inlaid, with a floral decoration underneath.
Accompanying textsThe repertoire is from a later date than the organ itself, as the cylinder was replaced in 1930. The repertoire includes: Es ist ein' Ros' entsprungen, Du kannst nicht treu sein, Schön ist das Leben im Hafen, Anne Marie, Regentropfen, and La Paloma (The Dove).
'Du kannst nicht treu sein' is an originally German song by Cologne composer Hans Otten, of which there is also an English-language version (You can't be true dear). It dates from the 1930s and even reached No 1 on the US Billboard Charts in 1948.
This Harmonipan portable barrel organ has 33 keys and only labial pipes, no reeds. Harmonipan was a general type-name for organs with this composition of pipes. So you may also come across Harmonipan organs from other manufacturers. This particular organ was built by the trio Cocchi, Bacigalupo & Graffigna in Berlin. This trio was only active in this composition between 1891 and 1894; thus, we can assume that the organ must have been built at least within this period.
'Du kannst nicht treu sein' is an originally German song by Cologne composer Hans Otten, of which there is also an English-language version (You can't be true dear). It dates from the 1930s and even reached No 1 on the US Billboard Charts in 1948.
This Harmonipan portable barrel organ has 33 keys and only labial pipes, no reeds. Harmonipan was a general type-name for organs with this composition of pipes. So you may also come across Harmonipan organs from other manufacturers. This particular organ was built by the trio Cocchi, Bacigalupo & Graffigna in Berlin. This trio was only active in this composition between 1891 and 1894; thus, we can assume that the organ must have been built at least within this period.
Dimensions
geheel height: 59 cm
geheel width: 58 cm
geheel depth: 35 cm
geheel width: 58 cm
geheel depth: 35 cm
Digital references