The Glass Harmonica

[kernelbogey]

I believe this was broadcast late in In Tune, yesterday, Wednesday 12/1.

[subcontrabass]

I believe this was broadcast late in In Tune, yesterday, Wednesday 12/1.

1 hour 33 minutes from the start of the programme accoring to the playlist.

[Bryn]

Thanks subcontrabass, and it was the Hoffmann too.

[tony yyy]

Well spotted, kernelbogey and subcontrabass! Many thanks.

Panjandrum: Yes, I knew the Philips recording was available (I used to have it on LP), but as I already have the Grumiaux Ensemble's recordings of the quintets I'm a bit reluctant to buy it at the moment.

[MickyD]

The Glass Harmonica

Just back from a fascinating early evening concert at the Musée Réattu in Arles, where they have an original painted case for a glass harmonica, the ethereal-sounding instrument invented by Benjamin Franklin. The programme featured works by Mozart and Donizetti, both of whom wrote for it. Thomas Bloch played the instrument and Pauline Hass accompanied him on a classical harp. A rare chance indeed....here's Thomas Bloch playing other pieces:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8JfJumIXSQ

[MrGongGong]

Excellent stuff
There are several ensembles playing glass instruments including the (H)armonica

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_GbnHPuzbIc

if you want to buy one

http://www.finkenbeiner.com/GLASSHARMONICA.htm

[richardfinegold]

I had no idea that it was invented by Benjamin Franklin. The only piece I know is the Mozart, and I think it tends to be played on a Celeste these days

[Richard Barrett]

I had no idea that it was invented by Benjamin Franklin. The only piece I know is the Mozart, and I think it tends to be played on a Celeste these days

The mechanical version was invented by Franklin, but people had been playing music on tuned wineglasses for centuries before that of course.

Thomas Bloch is an expert in unusual keyboard-like instruments, and plays a mean Martenot.

[doversoul1]

To me, Glass harmonica means Bruno Hoffman. There was a concert of or a programme about glass harmonica on Radio 3 some time ago. I was most indignant, as the programme or/and the grass harmonica-ist (?) mentioned not a word about Hoffman and made it sound as if this young-ish performer was the first musician to performed the instrument in modern times. I suppose 1960s didn’t count as modern times to them.

When Hoffman performed in Tokyo in, I think late 1960s, the air-conditioning of the hall had to be stopped to keep the place absolutely quiet. Well, so I heard. I only heard him on a LP which, alas, I no longer have.

[ed.] I was going on about the same thing on this very thread (#12) Not much progress

[MickyD]

The mechanical version was invented by Franklin, but people had been playing music on tuned wineglasses for centuries before that of course.

Thomas Bloch is an expert in unusual keyboard-like instruments, and plays a mean Martenot.

Yes, so I found out last night. I understand that during a trip to London, Franklin heard and liked a performance given on wineglasses, and then went home to invent his own version. Bloch was a very charming host, inviting members of the audience afterwards to come and look at the instrument and ask questions.

Donizetti wrote a part in 'Lucia di Lammermoor' for the glass harmonica, but later replaced it with the flute. A period version of the opera came out some years ago, from Charles Mackerras and The Hanover Band; I had rather hoped that they opted for this original version, but sadly not, they decided to go with Donizetti's own changes. A pity, as the sound of this instrument is so special.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I bought this CD from a busker near the London Eye a few years ago:-

[MickyD]

At the concert the other night, Thomas Bloch told us his glasses were now made of quartz, as the once-used crystal glass breaks too easily.