physharmonica
Description
The physharmonica resembles a small harmonium, but is differentiated from it by having no stops, being without percussion action, having only a 4 octave compass, and not speaking readily or clearly. As with the harmonium, the bellows are worked by the feet by an alternate movement, which also affords a means of varying the dynamic force of the tone according as more or less energetic pedalling increases or decreases the pressure of the wind supply.{{sfn|Schlesinger|1911|p=548}}
The physharmonica was invented in 1818 by Anton Haeckl, of Vienna; in the original instrument the bellows were placed right and left immediately under the shallow wind-chest, and were worked by means of pedals connected by stout wire. A specimen, having a compass of four octaves and a very sweet tone, is preserved in the collection of Paul de Wit, formerly in Leipzig, transferred to Cologne and then back to Leipzig's Grassi Museum.{{sfn|Schlesinger|1911|p=548}}
A patent for improvements to this type of instrument was granted to Anton Reinlein 1824. Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann also built similar instruments at least by 1828. There were also others who produced these instruments such as Johann Caspar Schlimbach with Bernhard Eschenbach, {{Interlanguage link multi|Carl Friedrich Voit|de}} in Schweinfurt and {{Interlanguage link multi|Friedrich Sturm (instrument maker)|de|3=Friedrich Sturm (Instrumentenbauer|lt=Friedrich Sturm)}} in Stuhl.{{citation needed|date=April 2013}}
See also
Notes
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References
- {{EB1911|first=Kathleen |last=Schlesinger|wstitle=Physharmonica|volume=21|page=548}}
External links
- [http://www.harmoniumnet.nl/voorlopers-physharmonika.html Le phyharmonica]
- [http://harmonium.forumactif.net/presentations-d-instruments-f1/le-physharmonica-t61.htm on harmonium.forum]
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