Glass Harmonica [Armonica]

Subject: Glass Harmonica
From: The Sandman
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 01:38 PM

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0013b2rReleased On: 19 Feb 1999
Available for 29 days

In 1761, Benjamin Franklin invented the glass harmonica.

Lesley Bruce’s drama explores the impact of this peculiar instrument on the lives of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz Mesmer - as well as two visually-impaired musicians, Marianne Kirschgassner and Marie Therese von Paradis.

Subject: RE: Glass Harmonica
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 03:00 PM

Mozart wrote two pieces for glass harmonica, the Adagio in C K356 for the solo instrument and the Adagio and Rondo K617 for glass harmonica, flute, oboe, viola and cello. Both lovely...

Subject: RE: Glass Harmonica
From: Neil D
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 03:47 PM

When visiting Philadelphia I saw one in a museum. They called it an armonica. That one had belonged to Franklin but I don't know if it was the prototype.

Subject: RE: Glass Harmonica
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 15 Jan 22 - 03:48 PM

I think "armonica" was the usual rendering back in the day.

Subject: RE: Glass Harmonica
From: GUEST,Wireharp
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 08:50 AM

Yes Neil D. the one you saw in a Philadelphia museum ( The Franklin Institute) is his original armonica.

Subject: RE: Glass Harmonica
From: Jeri
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 09:39 AM

Steve's right, it's "armonica". (Although the misspelling made it into Wikipedia, so go figure)

Subject: RE: Glass Harmonica [Armonica]
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Jan 22 - 05:01 PM

I shall refrain from telling the joke about a mouse organ and our Monica