Leopold Uhlmann Flugelhorn in C
The flugelhorn (bugle) was one first instruments to
have valves applied to it, and while exact origins may
be unknown, it was certainly first popularized in the
Germanic countries. Leopold Uhlmann was one of the
most important makers in the early development of
valved brass. He had been granted a patent for
improvements in double piston valves in 1830 and is
best known for his excellent "Vienna Horns", the model
for those still in use today. He was making flugelhorns
in those early years and with rotary valves similar to
those shown here by 1843. Difficult to date accurately,
this instrument may have been made after the death of
the senior Leopold in 1879. It is a very high quality
instrument in both design and construction and the
extensive engraved decoration is further indication that
it is not an average instrument.
I have encountered enough German and Austrian
flugelhorns in the key of C to assume that there is a
traditional use for them. I would assume that it is
similar to American choral or parlor cornets in C and
ballad horns an octave lower. These were intended for
use by amateurs reading the music from the piano,
organ or vocal arrangements and would also be useful
for social orchestras with variable instrumentation. For
comparison, the last photo below shows it standing next
to a more generic 20th Century German flugelhorn in
Bb.
I also want to comment on the lack of appreciation for
rare and beautiful antique instruments such as this. I
had this on my list of instruments for sale for several
years before finding a happy buyer and I sold it without
a profit.
have valves applied to it, and while exact origins may
be unknown, it was certainly first popularized in the
Germanic countries. Leopold Uhlmann was one of the
most important makers in the early development of
valved brass. He had been granted a patent for
improvements in double piston valves in 1830 and is
best known for his excellent "Vienna Horns", the model
for those still in use today. He was making flugelhorns
in those early years and with rotary valves similar to
those shown here by 1843. Difficult to date accurately,
this instrument may have been made after the death of
the senior Leopold in 1879. It is a very high quality
instrument in both design and construction and the
extensive engraved decoration is further indication that
it is not an average instrument.
I have encountered enough German and Austrian
flugelhorns in the key of C to assume that there is a
traditional use for them. I would assume that it is
similar to American choral or parlor cornets in C and
ballad horns an octave lower. These were intended for
use by amateurs reading the music from the piano,
organ or vocal arrangements and would also be useful
for social orchestras with variable instrumentation. For
comparison, the last photo below shows it standing next
to a more generic 20th Century German flugelhorn in
Bb.
I also want to comment on the lack of appreciation for
rare and beautiful antique instruments such as this. I
had this on my list of instruments for sale for several
years before finding a happy buyer and I sold it without
a profit.
Click on images for larger views.