Details
Image(s)
TitleLongcase Clock with Organ Playing Movement
Creator Per Strand
PlaceStockholm (Sweden)
Year 1794
Object number0669
Object nametimepiece with organ pipes, longcase clock
DescriptionThe cylinder features what is known as a spiral or helicoidal notation. A large weight hangs from the back of the instrument, weighing over 35 pounds and having a drop height of as much as 2 meters.
The organ work itself is in the base of the clock and consists of two stops, one of which plays constantly. The activation of the second stop is determined by programming on the cylinder, which turns it on or off as needed.
Accompanying textsBecause spiral notation is used, there can be longer pieces of music on the cylinder. The downside is that it will then also have fewer pieces on. However, by providing the clock with several cylinders (12 in this case), each with with a long piece, there was still plenty of choice. There are four cylinders with arrangements by Mozart and Haydn. In addition, the Swedish composers Grenser and Askegren, among others, are represented.
Gradually alternating between the two registers creates a dynamic, colourful effect.
Early musical clocks were still limited in their possibilities for creating a more varied sound, but during the 18th century clock makers expanded the possibilities more and more. With organ clocks, for example, a maker could do this by adding multiple stops of organ pipes. What is special about the Per Strand clock is not only the presence of two stops, but in particular the mechanism that allows gradual switching between them.
A signature in the wind chest reads: 'Forfardigat af Per Strand Stockholm 1794'. Per (or Pettr) Strand was a woodcarver by origin and it is not entirely clear where or when he eventually learned his skills as an organ builder and maker of musical clocks. However, we can see similarities in his style with his contemporaries and it is known that in 1791 he received a royal privilege to manufacture musical clockworks and organs. Today, about 50 clocks by Strand's hand still survive. That's quite a good number, which suggests a robust level of production at the time. Strand's workshop was taken over in 1824 by his son Per Zacharias, who, after being educated in Germany, became one of the most important organ builders in Sweden in his time.
Gradually alternating between the two registers creates a dynamic, colourful effect.
Early musical clocks were still limited in their possibilities for creating a more varied sound, but during the 18th century clock makers expanded the possibilities more and more. With organ clocks, for example, a maker could do this by adding multiple stops of organ pipes. What is special about the Per Strand clock is not only the presence of two stops, but in particular the mechanism that allows gradual switching between them.
A signature in the wind chest reads: 'Forfardigat af Per Strand Stockholm 1794'. Per (or Pettr) Strand was a woodcarver by origin and it is not entirely clear where or when he eventually learned his skills as an organ builder and maker of musical clocks. However, we can see similarities in his style with his contemporaries and it is known that in 1791 he received a royal privilege to manufacture musical clockworks and organs. Today, about 50 clocks by Strand's hand still survive. That's quite a good number, which suggests a robust level of production at the time. Strand's workshop was taken over in 1824 by his son Per Zacharias, who, after being educated in Germany, became one of the most important organ builders in Sweden in his time.
Dimensions
geheel height: 290 cm
geheel width: 76 cm
geheel depth: 61 cm
cilinder length: 39 cm
cilinder diameter: 16 cm
geheel width: 76 cm
geheel depth: 61 cm
cilinder length: 39 cm
cilinder diameter: 16 cm
Digital references