Details
Image(s)
TitleCylinder orchestrion 'Heizmann'
Creator Sigmund Heizmann (orchestrionbouwer), Gustav Heizmann (orchestrionbouwer)
PlaceVöhrenbach (Germany), Vöhrenbach (Germany)
Year ca. 1890
Object number0018
Object categorymechanical instruments with organ pipes, orchestrions
DescriptionThis orchestrion has organ pipes with stops for melody, countermelody and bass, percussion (a large and small drum) and a spectacular double set of brass trumpets.
Accompanying textsThe orchestrion is accompanied by six interchangeable music cylinders - some of which use spiral notation, allowing longer pieces to be played. The repertoire includes a range of dance music, such as a waltz and 'Scottish Polka' from Charles Gounod's opera Faust, a mazurka, and a galop.
In 1961, this organ stood in the old Heizmann factory building, after the building had already been repurposed as a warehouse by a descendant of Heizmann. The owner of the building at that time said that he had not been able to sell the instrument after the company stopped production of this model. It is possible that this was related to the fact that other companies, such as the Welte company, had successfully switched to paper rollers around 1887. An instrument like this one, which still used the less efficient and more cumbersome pinned cylinder system, could not compete commercially.
In 1961, this organ stood in the old Heizmann factory building, after the building had already been repurposed as a warehouse by a descendant of Heizmann. The owner of the building at that time said that he had not been able to sell the instrument after the company stopped production of this model. It is possible that this was related to the fact that other companies, such as the Welte company, had successfully switched to paper rollers around 1887. An instrument like this one, which still used the less efficient and more cumbersome pinned cylinder system, could not compete commercially.
Dimensions
geheel height: 301 cm
geheel width: 205 cm
geheel depth: 130 cm
geheel width: 205 cm
geheel depth: 130 cm
Digital references