Heckelphone

What it means

The heckelphone (German Heckelphon) is a double-reed instrument in baritone register, built on the model of the oboe but with a distinctly wider bore and a globular bell. It sounds an octave lower than the oboe and is notated transposing in the treble clef. The wide bore distinguishes it in sound from the baritone or bass oboe: the tone is fuller, darker, and more sustaining, with less nasal sharpness. It was developed at the beginning of the twentieth century to round off the oboe family downward.

Musical use

The heckelphone is called for in some orchestral works of the early twentieth century, where it colours the woodwind group in the low register and contributes a sombre layer of sound of its own. Its use remained rare, because only few instruments exist and hardly any players specialize in it; in practice the part is often executed on the English horn or another instrument, which, however, changes the intended sound. For an understanding of the instrumentation of those works the term remains important, even though it is hardly met in everyday concert life. It differs from the oboe da caccia in date of construction, bore, and register.

Performance practice

The air requirement is considerably greater than with the oboe, and the reed is correspondingly wider; too firm an embouchure smothers the response. Work with calm, supported air and a loose lip frame. The intonation in the low register depends strongly on the reed, which, as with all double-reed instruments, is looked after and adjusted by oneself. Because of the weight, a carrying or supporting system is advisable. Whoever comes from the oboe should begin with long notes in the middle register to get to know the different air measure, and only then tackle the repertoire. In the orchestra, settle in good time which instrument is actually available.

Bear in mind that parts for this instrument in practice often have to be replaced: settle early whether an instrument and a player are available, and otherwise decide deliberately on an alternative instead of leaving the question open. In performances with English horn, the register is to be checked, because the range is not congruent. Whoever plays the instrument should begin with long notes in the middle register and add the high register only when embouchure and air measure are secure.