Suction wind harmonium

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The suction wind harmonium (also called suction air harmonium ) is the most widespread type of harmonium, not only in Germany since the end of the 19th century (next to the pressure wind harmonium or artificial harmonium ). It is also called the "American harmonium" because it originated there. It differs from the older Druckwind design not only in terms of sound, but also in its much simpler structure, which not only allows more cost-effective production, but also facilitates maintenance.

While the pressure wind / synthetic harmonium was specially designed for artistic solo use, the suction wind harmonium ultimately established itself as an instrument that was often used in churches and chapels as an "organ replacement" and in many town houses for domestic music. The vast majority of the harmonium instruments still in existence in Germany today belong to the "suction wind harmonium" type.

Barr Colony Heritage Cultural Center: Harmonium - an elaborately built harmonium
Mrs Meigs at the harmonium (1883) William Merritt Chase (1849–1916)

Furnishing

  • Sound generation

With the suction wind harmonium, the sound is produced with the opposite air flow direction as with the compressed air harmonium. When the pedal stool is operated, the magazine bellows is emptied, i.e. a negative pressure is generated (in this respect, the term magazine bellows , borrowed from organ building, is misleading here). When pressing the keys resp. When the valves open, air is sucked in; this has to pass the tongues and causes them to vibrate - the sound is generated. Further explanations can be found under the keyword harmonium .

  • NORMAL HARMONIUM (usually standard equipment of the suction wind harmonium)

The "Association of Harmonium Manufacturers", chaired by Theodor Mannborg , decided in 1903 to plan a "normal harmonium", of which every member should offer an instrument if possible. In addition to the common disposition, the normal harmonium should have two knee levers (right - Forte flaps / left - Tutti). The manual range is 5 octaves (F 1 - f 3 ), the register division is usually between h 0 and c 1 (the sub-bass 16 'only goes from C to c 0 ), octave coupling

The agreed disposition (grouped according to bass and treble, the vox humana forms the limit):

(7) Sub Bass 16 '

6.Eolian Harp 2 '

(1) Diapason 8 '

(1P) Diapason Dolce 8 '

(3) Viola 4 '

(3P) Viola Dolce 4 '

(VH) Vox Humana

(4) Seraphone 8 '

(3) Flute 4 '

(1) Melodia 8 '

(1P) Melodia Dolce 8 '

(5) Vox celeste 8 '

(OK) Octave Coupler

German producers often used different register names, but the register numbers are identical and are specified by the composer for the harmonium player. Question about the harmonium

  • How can a suction wind harmonium be distinguished from a pressure wind harmonium? - (at the same time this results in a more detailed description of the equipment)

1. Distinguishing feature: expression train

Although there was also an expression device for suction wind harmonies, it was very rarely built.

2nd distinguishing feature: keyboard

The keyboard of the suction wind harmonium goes from F 1 - f 3 (pressure wind harmonium C - c 4 )

3. Difference: keyboard division

Suction wind harmonium: mostly between h 0 and c 1 , less often between e 0 and f 0 ) (pressure wind harmonium: keyboard division between e 1 and f 1 )

history

Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann occupies a special position in Europe, as he built suction wind harmoniums at least from 1838. The industrial production of the suction wind harmonium began in the USA from 1850 to 1860 by the large companies 'Estey' and 'Mason & Hamlin'. In the USA the suction wind harmonium (i.e. the harmonium of the "American system") is usually "reed organ" (also called "pump organ" or "parlor organ"). Factories from the USA and Canada were able to export many suction wind harmoniums to Germany. The mass production enabled low prices, at the same time the sound character of these instruments suited those who were primarily looking for a (cheap) replacement for the organ. The European manufacturers of pressure wind harmoniums gradually introduced the new suction wind system - mainly because these instruments were cheaper to manufacture (company founders in Saxony such as 'Mannborg', 'Lindholm').

literature

  • Christian Ahrens, Gregor Klinke: The harmonium in Germany. 2nd Edition. Publisher: Verlag Erwin Bochinsky, 2001, ISBN 3-923639-48-1 .
  • Harmonium. In: Music in the past and present (MGG). Vol. 05 1708f.
  • Martin Geisz: Harmonium cultural heritage. Publisher: Wissenschaftlicher Verlag. Berlin 2016. ISBN 978-3-86573-959-9
  • Robert F. Gellermann: The American Reed Organ and the Harmonium. ISBN 1-879511-12-6 .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ The normal harmonium.
  2. ↑ FAQ
  3. ^ Harmonium Julius Estey & Co. In: Klaus Gernhard, Hubert Henkel: Organ instruments - Harmoniums. 1st edition Breitkopf & Härtel, 1984, ISBN 3-7651-0201-6 , p. 94.

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