Bass saxhorn in B-flat

Adolphe (Antoine Joseph) Sax

1863 · Brass · Musical Instruments

This instrument features several innovations by Sax, including his six independant valve system and a pavillon tournant, or moveable bell that can be adjusted by the player to direct the sound of the instrument. Sax’s system of six independent valves was devised to correct the intonation problems of typical three-valve instruments, which can sound out of tune when valves are used in combination. Sax made a wide range of instruments with this system, including saxhorns, trombones, trumpets, cornets and horns. Saxhorns like this were featured in the Banda, or stage band of the Paris Opéra that Sax formed and directed from 1847 to 1892.

Artist

Adolphe (Antoine Joseph) Sax

Date

1863

Medium

Brass

Culture

French

Department

Musical Instruments

Credit line

Purchase, Clara Mertens Bequest, in memory of André Mertens, 1993