Reed organ made by Alexandre Pere et Fils
Object No. 2004/23/1
Alexandre Pere et Fils were one of the earliest large-scale manufacturers of harmoniums in the world. Established in 1829 they originally manufactured accordions. By the 1840s they were involved in organ manufacture. Their instruments were highly regarded and they won numerous awards at international exhibitions. These included the Paris Exposition of 1844 where they were awarded a Bronze Medal, the medal of honour at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris and an award in the London Exhibition of 1862. Of significance to Sydney is that they exhibited at the Sydney International Exhibition in 1879 where they were awarded a Highly Commended recommendation. Awards continued until 1897 (Brussels) and 1900 (Paris). After 1854 the firm was successful in patenting a number of important improvements to reed organ design. Their fame grew, attracting praise from several musicians and composers including Hector Berlioz. Their instruments were quite compact and finely finished showing an elegance and simplicity of design which was without the ostentation and size of later reed organs. They differed from the American instrument by using a pressure system blowing air though the reeds rather than the suction method used in most American reed organs. This instrument also has particular significance to Sydney as it was sold by a musical instrument retailer and importer, Lewis Moss. Moss also sold sheet music and was possibly also a composer. The National Library, Canberra, holds a piece of music written and published by Moss titled, "Adon gnolam a Hebrew hymn for four voices with an accompaniment for the organ, harmonium, or piano forte". Moss was certainly trading as a music seller by 1858. By 1865 he was also importing and selling musical instruments from his shop at 5 Hunter Street where he remained until the late 1880s. Michael Lea Curator, music & musical instruments September 2003.
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Summary
Object Statement
Reed organ, walnut / [ivory] / brass / replica gold / carpet, made by Alexandre Pere et Fils, Paris, France, 1855-1865.
Physical Description
Reed organ, walnut / [ivory] / brass / replica gold / carpet, made by Alexandre Pere et Fils, Paris, France, 1855-1865. Harmonium or reed organ with single manual 5 octave compass from C to C. Polished walnut case. Decorative carved column either side of lower case. Organ has nine stops arranged horizontally above keyboard. Volume swell knee levers are below the keyboard. Two large pedals covered in carpet sit within the curved cavity at the bottom of the case. A brass carry handle is attached to each side of the cabinet. Lid opens to allow folding music rest to be set up. Replica gold medal in brass set into underside of lid and maker's plate at centre back of keyboard beneath stops. Another name plate states the retailer's name.
PRODUCTION
Notes
The reed organ was manufactured in France by Alexandre Pere et Fils between 1855-1865. It features the European air pressure system of sounding the reeds rather than the suction system used in the USA. The casework has far simpler and more elegant lines than the more ostentatious American reed organs that dominated markets during the late nineteenth century. In France it appears the harmonium or reed organ was regarded far more as an instrument in its own right alongside other keyboard instruments such as pianos that were made by some of the finest makers in the world such as Erard and Pleyel. The harmonium was used by some composers as a unique instrument and lead Berlioz to praise it highly. In the USA the reed organ seems to have been made to directly compete with the piano as a cheaper alternative that could be produced rapidly and in large numbers. It appealed to a lower income group than piano owners but who wanted to enjoy an air of gentility that was perceived to be given by the piano. The 1855 date refers to the date the company were awarded the Medal of Honour at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, a copy of which is mounted on the organ. Musical instrument retailer and importer, Lewis Moss was trading in Sydney from 1854 until his death in 1875 although the firm continued under his name, possibly by his son, until about 1888. The Lewis Moss firm's label also appears on the organ. Alexandre Pere et Fils operated at 39 Rue Meslay, Paris from 1851 until 1860.
HISTORY
Notes
The reed organ was used as a domestic instrument. The donor was the only member of her family that played it, playing Methodist hymns. The instrument belonged to the donor's grandmother at least sixty years ago. The donor remembers it in her grandmother's house when they lived in Castle Hill, NSW. The donor does not know where her grandmother got the organ from or how long she had had it (donor has also checked with her brother who also does not know this information). The 1855 date refers to the date the company were awarded the Medal of Honour at the 1855 Exposition Universelle in Paris, a copy of which is mounted on the organ. Musical instrument retailer and importer, Lewis Moss was trading in Sydney from 1854 until his death in 1875 although the firm continued under his name, possibly by his son, until about 1888. The Lewis Moss firm's label also appears on the organ. See also National Library description under "Select Bibliography of Material in the National Library of Australia Relating to Jewish Life in Australia"; http://www.nla.gov.au/guides/jewishlife.html AUTHOR Moss, Lewis. TITLE Adon gnolam a Hebrew hymn for four voices with an accompaniment for the organ, harmonium, or piano forte /[music] :composed by Lewis Moss. PUBLISHER Sydney :L. Moss, Music & Musical Instrument Importer,[188-?] DESCRIPT'N 1 close score (5 p.) ; 36 cm. NOTE(S) 1) Words in Hebrew (romanized) and English. MUS N mb 783.954 M913 The Sydney Morning Herald (23/1/1867 p.5) reported that Lewis Moss had published this musical work in 1867. A notice in the Sydney Morning Herald (30/7/1875) refers to the death of Lewis Moss Musicseller and gives notification of the proposed granting of probate of his will by the NSW Supreme Court.
SOURCE
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs Darylin Guest, 2003
Acquisition Date
18 February 2004
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