The Sound of Brass
How were early brass instruments constructed, and of what? If we build copies using historic manufacturing techniques, what impact does this have on their playing characteristics and their sound? And can we measure this?
Factsheet
- Schools involved Bern Academy of the Arts
- Institute(s) Institute Interpretation
- Research unit(s) Musical Instruments
- Funding organisation Innosuisse
- Duration 01.11.2015 - 31.10.2018
- Head of project Martin Skamletz
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Project staff
Ian Leslie Bousfield
Dr. Martin Tuchschmid
Dr. Adrian von Steiger -
Partner
Blechblas Instrumentenbau Egger
EMPA
Klingendes Museum
Sinfonie Orchester Biel Solothurn
Kompetenzzentrum Militärmusik der Schweizer Armee
Situation
Many questions on the materiality and the production technology of historical brass instruments remain unanswered today. This project is intended to use reconstructions of the legendary German trombones of the 19th and early 20th centuries to reacquire the techniques of historical craftsmen. The acousticians of Empa are investigating their influence on the playing characteristics and on the sound. The reconstructions of German orchestral trombones built in the course of this applied research will ultimately be presented in concert.
