Alto Saxhorn in B-flat 1900

This alto saxhorn in B-flat was made in France by Gautrot aîné sometime between 1870 and 1884. It is made of brass. During the 19th century, France became a vital center for the design and manufacture of musical instruments. What began as small workshops evolved into large-scale industrial production that helped standardize instruments. The saxhorn family, invented by Adolphe Sax, helped to create the modern brass band. In examining the history of instruments like this saxhorn, we can consider the political role of music as a means of social organization, celebration, and control. Cultural historians and musicologists have shown how music operates as a kind of social performance with political and economic implications. By researching instrument makers, music scores, archives, and printed material, we can better understand the contexts in which music was produced, distributed, and consumed, revealing the complex role of the arts in social life.