Details
Image(s)
TitleRoll-Playing Orchestrion 'Solo Klavier mit Violine'
CreatorLeipziger Orchestrionwerke Paul Lösche (orchestrionbouwer)
PlaceLeipzig (Germany)
Year ca. 1920
Object number0059
Object categorymechanical hammered string instruments, orchestrions
Object nameorchestrion with strings, orchestrion with roll
DescriptionThis is an electrically driven piano which also contains a xylophone and a row of organ pipes.
Accompanying textsThe organ pipes were voiced so that the sound resembled that of a violin, especially when the tremulant was activated. A strip of wood could also be slid between and strings, allowing you to achieve what was felt to be a mandolin-like sound. Again, the repertoire consists of familiar entertainment music programmed on paper rolls, which each contain four songs. The music rolls have 69 tone holes. The piano can also be played by hand.
These types of instruments were extremely popular between 1910 and 1930. The gramophone hardly existed yet and the only real alternative to an orchestrion was live music, which was quite expensive. Orchestrions with paper music rolls were very popular in entertainment venues in the first three decades of the 20th century. Buying an orchestrion was quite an expense for the proprietor, so instruments could also be rented. Since musicians no longer had to be paid, the costly purchase actually made money in the long run. And there were other advantages. For instance, the music rolls were available in all kinds of musical styles, the 'orchestra' never got sick and, on top of that, you could have the orchestrions operate on coin insertion. The latter brought in some extra money too. After the invention of the electric gramophone and the first commercial jukebox in 1927, we see many orchestrion manufacturers quickly going under.
These types of instruments were extremely popular between 1910 and 1930. The gramophone hardly existed yet and the only real alternative to an orchestrion was live music, which was quite expensive. Orchestrions with paper music rolls were very popular in entertainment venues in the first three decades of the 20th century. Buying an orchestrion was quite an expense for the proprietor, so instruments could also be rented. Since musicians no longer had to be paid, the costly purchase actually made money in the long run. And there were other advantages. For instance, the music rolls were available in all kinds of musical styles, the 'orchestra' never got sick and, on top of that, you could have the orchestrions operate on coin insertion. The latter brought in some extra money too. After the invention of the electric gramophone and the first commercial jukebox in 1927, we see many orchestrion manufacturers quickly going under.
Dimensions
geheel height: 230 cm
geheel width: 170 cm
geheel depth: 90 cm
geheel width: 170 cm
geheel depth: 90 cm
Keywordsprogrammadrager: roll
geluidsbron: strings
geluidsbron: organ pipes
geluidsbron: xylophone
aandrijving: elektromotor
geluidsbron: strings
geluidsbron: organ pipes
geluidsbron: xylophone
aandrijving: elektromotor
Digital references