Details
Image(s)
TitleRollenorchestrion ‘Weber Violano’
PlaceWaldkirch (Germany), Leipzig (Germany)
Year 1923 - 1925
Object number1443
Object categorymechanical instruments with organ pipes, orchestrions
Object nameorchestrion with organ pipes, orchestrion with roll
DescriptionThe instrument is constructed of an oak case with mirror-facet glazing and solid bronze lusters. It has a large piano, complete with a reproduction mechanism, which can be played pneumatically and by hand. The instrument contains a rank of organ pipes which imitate the nuances and subtleties of a violin played by hand, without using any special effects such as additional voices. This 'violin' sound, which can accurately reproduce different kinds of articulation as well as vibrato, is deceptively similar thanks to an original setup. The Violano in our collection represents the most elaborate version of this instrument, with additional bass coupler. The Weber instruments are technically very well thought out and play through a combination of compressed air for roll reading and suction air for pneumatics, which works very quickly.
Accompanying textsThis rare Weber Violano consists of an automatically playing piano as well as a rank of organ pipes, which is hidden in a separate case inside the instrument. The organ pipes are intoned in such a way that the sound can hardly be distinguished from a real violin. In addition, the violin register features blinds that can open and close independently, allowing for a wide range of dynamic contrast. Similarly, the hammers of the piano can hit the strings harder or softer. Thus the dynamics can vary from whisper-soft to bombastically loud. Romantic music in particular sounds wonderful as a result. Only a few examples of this particular type of instrument have survived.
Instruments by Weber were unprecedentedly popular in the 1920s, in both Europe and America. These years were incredibly successful for orchestrion production in general. Consequently, many orchestrion builders concentrated primarily on quantity. Not so the Weber firm, who focused their efforts on musical quality with great dedication - and considerable success. In America, Ernst Böcker in New York represented the firm, through whom a number of instruments were sold. They were widely advertised and found their way into stately mansions in salons on Fifth Avenue and elsewhere. Not many instruments of this type are known today, and this example is of an exceptional, playable, standard. This particular specimen was intended for the Belgian market.
Instruments by Weber were unprecedentedly popular in the 1920s, in both Europe and America. These years were incredibly successful for orchestrion production in general. Consequently, many orchestrion builders concentrated primarily on quantity. Not so the Weber firm, who focused their efforts on musical quality with great dedication - and considerable success. In America, Ernst Böcker in New York represented the firm, through whom a number of instruments were sold. They were widely advertised and found their way into stately mansions in salons on Fifth Avenue and elsewhere. Not many instruments of this type are known today, and this example is of an exceptional, playable, standard. This particular specimen was intended for the Belgian market.
Dimensions
geheel height: 280 cm
geheel width: 175 cm
geheel depth: 93 cm
geheel width: 175 cm
geheel depth: 93 cm