THE EVOLUTION AND TECHNICAL REFINEMENT OF THE HARMONIUM IN THE 19ᵗʰ AND 20ᵗʰ CENTURIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/subbmusica.2026.1.15Keywords:
harmonium, reed organ, harmonium builders, nineteenth-century instruments, organ constructionAbstract
This study examines the evolution and technical refinement of the harmonium during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Originally inspired by the construction principles of the pipe organ, the harmonium gradually developed into a complex and expressive instrument. The paper highlights the contributions of important builders such as Alexandre-François Debain, Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, the Mustel family, Dumont-Lelièvre & Cie, Johannes Titz, and Mason & Hamlin. Their innovations significantly improved the mechanical structure, sound quality, and expressive possibilities of the instrument. The study also discusses the development of both pressure and suction wind systems and their influence on harmonium construction in France, Germany, and the United States. Finally, the article emphasizes the historical importance of the harmonium and its continued appreciation in modern restoration and performance practice.
References
Baumert, Doris. Der Harmoniumbauer Johannes Titz in Löwenberg. Stadtoldendorf, 2014. https://harmonium.gdo.de/fileadmin/_migrated/content_uploads/Baumert_harmoniumbauer-titz_03.pdf (accessed February 8, 2025).
“Havre-Exposition.” Revue Hebdomadaire Illustrée de l'Exposition Maritime Internationale du Havre, 1887, pp. 81–82. https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k9122330d.item (accessed February 11, 2025).
Lefébure-Wely, Louis James Alfred. Méthode théorique et pratique pour le Poïkilorgue. Paris: Canaux et Nicou-Choron, 1839.
Mason & Hamlin. Mason & Hamlin Catalogue. Boston, 1880. https://s9.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/a/ac/IMSLP304691-PMLP492999- Mason_%26_Hamlin_Catalog_1880.pdf (accessed March 25, 2025).
Miklós, Noémi. Simfonia pentru orgă. Nașterea și evoluția genului în contextul tradiției organistice franceze. Cluj-Napoca: Presa Universitară Clujeană, 2018.
Mustel, Victor. Harmoniums et Célestas Mustel. Catalogue. Paris, 1896. https://s9.imslp.org/files/imglnks/usimg/7/7d/IMSLP301095-PMLP487464- Mustel_Catalogue_1896_screen.pdf (accessed January 22, 2025).
van Buuren, Willem. “De harmonium van Cavaillé-Coll.” VOX Humana, vol. 20, no. 2, Harmoniumvereniging Nederland, pp. 7–10. https://www.harmoniumvereniging.nl/images/pdf/vox-20-2%20De%20harmonium%20van%20Cavaille%20Coll-Willem%20van%20Buuren.pdf (accessed February 11, 2025).
Wodehouse, Artis. “The American Harmonium and Arthur Bird.” The Diapason, 2015. https://www.academia.edu/17554293 (accessed March 25, 2025).
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Studia Universitatis Babes-Bolyai Musica
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
