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Image(s)
TitlePhonoliszt-Violina rollenorchestrion, model A
CreatorLudwig Hupfeld A.-G. (manufacturer), Rönisch Klavierfabrik (manufacturer)
PlaceLeipzig (Germany), Dresden (Germany)
Year ca. 1914
Object number0867
Object categorymechanical hammered string instruments, orchestrions
Object nameorchestrion with strings, orchestrion with roll
DescriptionThree violins are played by a rotating metal bow, strung with horsehair. One string of each violin is struck by this bow as the violin moves forward. Mechanical keys on the strings provide the touch to generate additional musical notes. The rotation speed of the bow is variable and has several steps; from slow to fast. This will cause the violin to play softer or louder. There is also a vibrato mechanism and a sourdine effect (a damping effect applicable to stringed instruments).
The system is pneumatically driven. There is a dual roll mechanism (one for rolls with a program that includes a violin part, and one for rolls without a violin part). The roll contains additional commands for stopping and rewinding the roll. There is also a "remote control" so that the cinematographer could operate the instrument.
Accompanying textsThe left violin has the note D as its base and a range up to C'. The middle violin has a range from A to G' and the right one from E' to G'' in the next octave. In each roll, only one hole is allocated for every 2 notes, courtesy of a complicated system that requires a changeover each time for the other note.
The instrument can play at three dynamic levels: piano, mezzo-forte and forte, with the ability to gradually transition between these levels. The roll also includes commands for stopping or winding back the roll. By switching rolls, a variety of popular songs can be played.
Initially, this particular Violina Model A (cat. No. 0867) was part of the travelling cinema of the A. Riozzi family (film pioneers from Breda) during performances in Brabant, Limburg and northern Belgium. Later the tent originally used for that purpose was used for an exhibition on the genesis of the cinema. The Violina continued to play there as well, until it was acquired by the Dutch Film Museum in 1969 and set up in the Vondelpark Pavilion in Amsterdam.
The instrument was purchased by museum Speelklok in 1992 and restored by Jorg Borchart in Germany. According to 2011 research by Siegfried Wendel, the instrument was built in 1914.
The instrument can play at three dynamic levels: piano, mezzo-forte and forte, with the ability to gradually transition between these levels. The roll also includes commands for stopping or winding back the roll. By switching rolls, a variety of popular songs can be played.
Initially, this particular Violina Model A (cat. No. 0867) was part of the travelling cinema of the A. Riozzi family (film pioneers from Breda) during performances in Brabant, Limburg and northern Belgium. Later the tent originally used for that purpose was used for an exhibition on the genesis of the cinema. The Violina continued to play there as well, until it was acquired by the Dutch Film Museum in 1969 and set up in the Vondelpark Pavilion in Amsterdam.
The instrument was purchased by museum Speelklok in 1992 and restored by Jorg Borchart in Germany. According to 2011 research by Siegfried Wendel, the instrument was built in 1914.
Dimensions
geheel height: 245 cm
geheel width: 170 cm
geheel depth: 100 cm
geheel width: 170 cm
geheel depth: 100 cm