Harmonium

What it means

The harmonium is a keyboard instrument whose notes are produced by free metal reeds. The player treads feeder bellows with the feet, which supply the wind; by way of the keys, valves open, and the air sets the corresponding reeds vibrating. Stops bring in different sets of reeds, often separately for the bass and treble halves of the keyboard, so that different colours can sound at left and right. One distinguishes instruments with pressure wind from those with suction wind; the latter are widespread above all in American construction and sound softer.

Musical use

In the nineteenth century the harmonium was widespread: as a house instrument, in small churches and chapels as a substitute for the organ, and as an ensemble instrument. A repertoire of its own arose for this instrument, and numerous works were arranged for harmonium. Its sound is sustaining and continuous, similar to the organ, but differs through the tone production: reeds instead of pipes yield a sharper, more nasal basic character. Unlike the organ, the harmonium in some constructions allows dynamics through treading pressure, which makes swelling of individual notes possible — a means of expression that the pipe organ does not know.

Performance practice

Tread evenly and with foresight, for lack of air makes itself felt at once as sinking of pitch and volume; with dense chords and low registers the demand rises markedly. Use the expression function, if present, deliberately but sparingly, since it changes the intonation. Register separately for bass and treble to distinguish melody and accompaniment. Watch for dry storage, because humidity attacks reeds and valves, and have sticking or out-of-tune reeds cleaned professionally instead of bending them yourself.

Bear in mind that the instrument easily dominates in ensemble playing, because its sound is even and rich in overtones: register sparingly in chamber music and leave room for the partners. For congregational accompaniment, strong foundation stops suit better than sharp stops that cover the singing. Before playing, check whether all valves are free; hanging notes often arise from dust and can be remedied only professionally. Keep an even treading rate, because fluctuations become audible at once as restlessness in the sound.