Details
Image(s)
TitleRoll Playing Orchestrion 'Weber Maesto'
CreatorWaldkircher Orchestrion-Fabrik Gebr. Weber G.m.b.H. (orchestrionbouwer)
PlaceWaldkirch (Germany)
Year exact 1926
Object number1188
Object categorymechanical instruments with organ pipes, orchestrions
Object nameorchestrion with organ pipes, orchestrion with roll
DescriptionMuch like the other (numerous) Weber instruments, this orchestrion is technically very well thought-out. The orchestrion plays thanks to a combination of compressed air for roll reading and air suction for pneumatics. As a result, the instrument can work very quickly.
Accompanying textsHidden behind the slats are no fewer than 112 organ pipes that expertly imitate all kinds of instruments. The slats can also be opened and closed during playing to alternate the volume, further enhancing and varying the performance. A separate case in the back, also with slats, houses the clarinet register, consisting of 28 reed pipes. The pipe registers can play with a tremulant, which can be set to 3 different speeds.
The last register is a xylophone consisting of wooden bars. The percussion comprises a large and small drum, a triangle, a woodblock, a tambourine and a cymbal with damping. The touch strength of both the piano and percussion is adjustable to achieve expression.
The Weber orchestrions owe their special status in large part to the beautiful music arrangements of Gustav Bruder, who was associated with the firm from 1913 to 1930. Bruder said that a roll of music with four songs took him 3 weeks of work. Once the music was arranged, applying registration with musical effects took the same amount of time again.
The model Maesto was the second largest model produced by the Bismarckstrasse-based Weber brothers in Waldkirch (1880 - 1930). In the course of the 1920s, the model was transformed by the skilled Weber workers at the behest of music arranger Gustav Bruder into a technically very complex but musically beautiful orchestrion, which was especially fine at interpreting post-1920 American entertainment music. This particular example was built in 1926 and sold by Weber's Belgian agent - Gerard in Brussels - to a café Jagersrust in Haasdonk (Beveren near Antwerp). From there, around 1960, it was sold to a scrap metal dealer who wanted to use the instrument for metal sales. Fortunately, it was found there by a connoisseur (a Mr Klippelaar from Hamme), who exchanged it for an old metal engine block of about the same weight as the metal in the Maesto. From then on, successive collectors in various countries have owned it, each carrying out their own restorations and modifications. The instrument went from Belgium, through America to Germany, eventually ending up back in the US. Finally, in 2010, it was auctioned off by Bonhams and bought by Museum Speelklok. Here, too, it was of course restored before becoming part of the permanent displays.
The last register is a xylophone consisting of wooden bars. The percussion comprises a large and small drum, a triangle, a woodblock, a tambourine and a cymbal with damping. The touch strength of both the piano and percussion is adjustable to achieve expression.
The Weber orchestrions owe their special status in large part to the beautiful music arrangements of Gustav Bruder, who was associated with the firm from 1913 to 1930. Bruder said that a roll of music with four songs took him 3 weeks of work. Once the music was arranged, applying registration with musical effects took the same amount of time again.
The model Maesto was the second largest model produced by the Bismarckstrasse-based Weber brothers in Waldkirch (1880 - 1930). In the course of the 1920s, the model was transformed by the skilled Weber workers at the behest of music arranger Gustav Bruder into a technically very complex but musically beautiful orchestrion, which was especially fine at interpreting post-1920 American entertainment music. This particular example was built in 1926 and sold by Weber's Belgian agent - Gerard in Brussels - to a café Jagersrust in Haasdonk (Beveren near Antwerp). From there, around 1960, it was sold to a scrap metal dealer who wanted to use the instrument for metal sales. Fortunately, it was found there by a connoisseur (a Mr Klippelaar from Hamme), who exchanged it for an old metal engine block of about the same weight as the metal in the Maesto. From then on, successive collectors in various countries have owned it, each carrying out their own restorations and modifications. The instrument went from Belgium, through America to Germany, eventually ending up back in the US. Finally, in 2010, it was auctioned off by Bonhams and bought by Museum Speelklok. Here, too, it was of course restored before becoming part of the permanent displays.
Dimensions
geheel height: 305 cm
geheel width: 340 cm
geheel depth: 103 cm
geheel depth: 120 cm
geheel width: 340 cm
geheel depth: 103 cm
geheel depth: 120 cm