Klemm & Bros. - Saxhorn in Eb

The Horn of the Month March 2014 is a saxhorn made by Klemm & Bros. of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. circa 1865. The instrument is made of nickel-silver, stamped on the bell garland is “KLEMM&BROS PHILAD”, there are no other markings on the instrument or distinctive features. The instrument has three rotary valves in the modern order.

Klemm & Bros were active from 1840 -1880. They were importers and dealers, not makers of instruments. A listing for the company appears in 1862 with F. Augustus Klemm. A variety of instruments stamped Klemm are in collections including: keyed-bugle, flugel-horn, fife, flutes, tiny bugle, euphonium and clarinet. (some information taken from - An Index of Musical Wind Instruments by Lyndesay G. Langwill 1977).

This instrument has been used with the mixed brass band grouping of the early 1830-1850 period in CBC programs. It was played by Marian Hesse (CBC horn player) on the Pastime with Good Company CD released by Crystal Records. Bruce uses this instrument often in solo recitals performing the Sachse Concerto in Eb. It is considered the replacement instrument in the CBC Collection for when the Stratton Eb Over-the-Shoulder is out of service.

The Klemm & Bros. saxhorn was one of the earliest instruments found by Bruce Barrie. At a small flea-market setting just off of South Street in Philadelphia (1977/78), it was waiting for CBC-ers to come along and give it a home. It was found in playing condition and continues to sound beautiful. That same day George Barnett (CBC horn at the time) found a Bb keyed bugle- also in playing condition. The stars were in alignment and the collection grew.

Visit the website of the National Music Museum to see many other wonderful examples of historic brass instruments (orgs.usd.edu).