Terpodion

The terpodion or uranion is a keyboard instrument which produces sound using the same friction principle as the glass armonica.

Terpodion Johann David Buschmann (1773-1852) At 1825 Berlin Signatur „J.D. Buschmann in Berlin“ Klaviaturumfang: F1-f4 (six octaves) Restored 2006/07: Andreas Hermert / Meike Wolters, H 830 mm, B 1296 mm, T 666 mm, Inv.-Nr.: V/J 417, Städtische Museen Junge Kunst und Viadrina, 15230 Frankfurt (Oder)

Instead of rotating glass bells a wooden cylinder is rotating. This cylinder is coated with a special mixture. Only 25 instruments were ever built by Christian Friedrich Ludwig Buschmann, the son of Johann David Buschmann, the inventor of this instrument. Johann David Buschmann was first a passementier, then he started repairing key instruments. By 1817 the instrument spanned a range of 5 1/2 octaves.

  • In 1821, one such instrument arrived in London.[1]
  • Also in 1821, David Buschmann sold a licence for building terpodions to the instrument builder David Loescham and the cheesemonger James Allwright.[2][3][4] Following this, only one instrument was ever built in England.
  • In 1841, another report could be read in the London newspaper.[5]

Examples of these instruments can be seen in museums all over Europe, including museums in Copenhagen, Leipzig, Vienna, London, Brussels, Stockholm, Jevišovice and Frankfurt/Oder.

  1. ^ The Quarterly journal, Band 11, Royal Institution of Great Britain - 1821 Online
  2. ^ "Band 6, 14". The London Journal of Arts and Sciences. Sherwood, Neely, and Jones. January 1822. pp. 235–236.
  3. ^ Kinsky Katalog Musikhistorisches Museum Köln S.413
  4. ^ Polytechnisches Journal (Zeitschriftenband 13.1824) Page 154 Online Online Text version
  5. ^ The Literary Gazette and Journal of the Belles Lettres, Arts, Sciences, &c. H. Colburn. 1841.