HERMAN LICHTENTHAL PHYSHARMONICA, BRUSSELS, 1836

Lichtenthal did not limit himself to building pianos. Due to his extensive knowledge he experimented with related keyboard instruments. In the MIM you can find the only remaining example of his ‘piano violin’ from 1830, from the collection of the Royal Palace. Another rare instrument is this physharmonica. The sound of this keyboard instrument is created through a bellow that blows air through vibrating metal tongues. Around 1830 these instruments were created simultaneously in Germany, Austria, France and also in Brussels, in Lichtenthal’s workshop.

 

Technical data:

• Inscription: Lichtenthal Facteur du Roi et du Conservatoire de Liège
• Compass: 5 octaves (C-c''')
• Keyboard: naturals in ivory, sharps in ebony
• Dimensions: W 93 cm / D 58 cm
• Case: mahogany
• Chris Maene Collection number: CM 68 337
• Location: 1 - Museum "Piano's Maene" Brussels