F-clarinet – UHLMANN

Clarinets

This extraordinary F clarinet was made at the workshop of the Uhlmann family in Vienna, Austria. The company was an extremely important manufacturer of woodwind and brass instruments. It supplied the Austrian army and exported worldwide. The founder was Johann Tobias Uhlmann (1776-1838), who started the business in 1810. He was succeeded by his three sons: Jakob, Leopold and Joseph.

In an Ulhmann & Söhne pricelist from 1845, there are all kinds of wind instruments on offer and clarinets are available in all different sizes. Small clarinets in E, F, G, A-flat or even A were offered with the comment that there were especially suited for military music.

This clarinet bears very worn markings on the upper and lower joints. But the eagle, the word ‘WIEN’ and a sunburst can be seen. A very similar instrument, constructed in the same manner but in E-flat, was recently sold by a colleague [see stamp in photos]. A clarinet with almost the same length by Tobias Uhlmann can be found in the Sigal Music Museum (USA). It is stamped with an addition ‘F’. This is why this instrument can be classified as a clarinet in F.  F clarinets by Uhlmann are also in the Edinburgh Musical Instrument Museum as well as the Beethoven Haus Bonn.

F clarinets were mainly used in military bands, but also in traditional music, mainly in Austria and Germany. We believe the instrument to date from around 1860, since it is still made with wooden blocks to hold the keys rather than metal posts that came into fashion later.

This clarinet has been fully restored and is playable. The mouthpiece is original. The ligature and cap are not original. It is crafted in a typical Viennese fashion, with metal-lined key mounts and beautifully made rings in nickel silver.

A rare and beautiful ‘little’ clarinet!

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E. Rittershausen, Berlin

One of the beautiful stories of mythology tells of the way the first musical instrument was suggested. As the story runs, as Orpheus was walking along the shores of the sea, his foot struck a reed that had been cast up by the waters, and had dried in the sun. The reed gave forth a soft, sweet sound as it was made to vibrate by the stroke of Orpheus’ foot and the result was the lyre or hand-harp of the ancient Egyptians. A similar story, and probably the same one adapted to the wind instruments, is that of Lucretius which says that “the simple flute had its origin from the breathing of western winds over certain reeds,” and thus was suggested the musical pipe, or simple tube, which has developed into one of the most fascinating of instruments.

The most elaborate and beautiful collection of flutes ever displayed in the United States, and probably in the world, was seen by visitors to the German section of the Columbian Exposition. The display was that of E. Rittershausen, of Berlin. It was arranged in a large, square glass case, and consisted of flutes made of various woods, of Ebonite and of sterling silver. The Rittershausen flutes are the standard of the world, and have received the indorsement of the best performers upon this favorite instrument. Until 1832 the flute was not regarded as a perfect instrument. In that year Theobald Boehm, of Munich, brought the instrument to such a degree of perfection as to make it one of the most prominent of orchestral and solo instruments. The Rittershausen flutes are made exactly upon the Boehm system, and with such wondrous skill and delicacy of workmanship as to have long since become the favorite of discriminating flutists. It is, in fact, the instrument universally referred to when the Boehm flute is desired.

Like the illustrious Boehm, Mr. Rittershausen is also a virtuoso as well as a manufacturer, devoting his entire faculties to the production of a perfect flute. By his own practical skill he is enabled to appreciate the many details and requirements in the construction of such an instrument as is demanded by the most fastidious virtuoso. This, it will readily be seen, is an invaluable consideration in the selection of a flute by a skilled performer. And in the rapid progress of musical culture of America, there are many lovers of the beautiful instrument who are its admirers and enthusiastic students at the present time.

Living in the musical city of Berlin, Mr. Rittershausen is thrown in personal contact with the greatest flutists of Europe, thereby receiving many suggestions from them that are of incalculable benefit in the manufacture of his instruments. The Rittershausen factory is located at 107 Bergmann street, Berlin, and its product has been famous from the establishing of the present business in 1870. Each year adds largely to the number of Rittenhausen-Boehm flutes in use in America, and they have received the highest testimonials from the most famous composers and performers in this country as well as those abroad. The American representative of the Rittershausen flutes is Mr. Carl Fischer, No. 6 Fourth Avenue, New York.

Musical Instruments at the World’s Columbian Exposition – Frank D. Abbottt, Charles A. Daniell – 1895 – P. 200