Harmoniums

Automatic harmonium “Aeolian Grand”

    Automatic harmonium “Aeolian Grand”

    USA, New York

    1890–1900

    The Aeolian Company

    Wood, metal, leather; joinery, mechanical work, wood carving, turning

    165 x 88 x 155 cm, weight 280 kg

    Inscriptions on the back of the case: “15345”; on the inner side of the fallboard: “ÆOLIAN GRAND”

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    Harmonium is housed in vertical lacquered case made of light oak, featuring keyboard protruding forward on keybed, supported by consoles in the form of turned fluted columns. Consoles rest on rectangular feet with metal casters. Two wide pedals are located in the center of the bottom plinth; by pressing them, the performer activates the bellows that supply compressed air to the harmonium systems.

    A musical piece can be performed either by an organist or by an automatic device.In this case, a perforated paper roll with the program of the musical piece is loaded into the roll mechanism, and playback is activated. As the roll winds from spool to spool, it passes over the reading tracker bar; holes in the paper allow air to reach the corresponding reeds, and the melody sounds.
    Music media: paper music roll


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