Bass Ophicleide in C (?) 1837 - 1854

This Bass Ophicleide in C, dating back to the 19th century, was made by Bartsch using brass. Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, strong yet relatively easy to manipulate. The warm color of the brass gives the instrument a radiant and noble presence. The making of the ophicleide involved a complex process, with sheets of brass carefully shaped and soldered together to form the tubing and bell. Intricate mechanisms of keys and valves were then added, allowing the player to produce a wide range of notes. This demonstrates a deep understanding of acoustics and instrument design. The instrument's materiality and the skill required in its making are culturally significant. The history of brass instruments is intertwined with the Industrial Revolution. The rise of factories and mass production transformed musical instrument-making, making instruments more accessible to wider social classes. But, the craftsmanship involved in the ophicleide reminds us of a time when making music was more closely tied to human skill. Considering these material processes allows us to appreciate how deeply intertwined instruments like this are with social and economic histories.