Cromorne
Encyclopedia
Cromorne is a French woodwind reed instrument whose design originates in the early Baroque
period in France, with a sound that is similar in sound to an oversize oboe. The instrument is regularly confused because of its similar-sounding name with the Crumhorn
, a musical woodwind instrument of different design.
(also called Crum Horn or Crumm Horn or Krumm horn or Krummhorn) is a capped double-reed instrument usually shaped like a letter "J" and possesses a rather small melodic range of a ninth, i.e. less than or close to an octave. The crumhorn has a reedy, somewhat humorous, buzzing sound, very strongly reminiscent of passing wind at various different pitches. It was a common Renaissance
woodwind instrument often played in consorts of crumhorns. However, it was apparently little used in France, and was called a "tournebout" by French writers.
" in English. In France, the shawm
and the oboe
were both called "hautbois", (literally meaning 'high wood') and were considered part of the same family: the oboe was developed from the shawm to meet the changing needs of the French court orchestras. It appears that the "protomorphic" hautboy was developed between 1640–1664 and was first used by Lully
. By 1670 it appears that the Hotteterres and Philidors had developed the Baroque 3-key oboe as we know it.
French woodwind developers however only created three kinds of oboes: the oboe in C, the haute-contre oboe in A (pitched like the oboe d'amore), and the taille de hautbois in F (like the modern English horn (aka Cor Anglais
)).
It seems that there was also a family of double reed, oboe-like instruments created during the early 17th century: the cromornes. There was a court ensemble in France called the "cromornes et Trompettes marines," and it seems that the cromorne was constructed in several different sizes from soprano to bass, although by the time the new Baroque oboes were developed, they probably began to replace the perhaps less-refined cromornes playing the upper parts. As there was no true "bass oboe" at the time, however, lower pitched cromornes, especially the basse de cromorne, continued to be used. The bassoon
took some time to be "remodelled" for use in the new French orchestra, and it appears that for some time during the 17th century and early 18th century the bass cromorne was used as the bass oboe
. Andre Danican Philidor was a player of this instrument, which appeared in the works of Lully and Charpentier.
During the 18th century, it seems that some cromornes were still built, and the instruments we have from this period called "Kontrabass-Oboe" (contrabass oboe
) in German were in fact modified, high Baroque bass cromornes. They were probably used in the some of the numerous oboe bands that existed at the time. However, research has yet to turn up a larger body of facts about this instrument. In appearance, it looked like a long, straight oboe with a bocal and finger-extension keys with characteristic wooden "rings" around the bore to mount these keys. It was understood by the middle of the 18th century that the cromorne, or "basson de hautbois," was played until the "basson" was perfected and used instead.
Some holdover instruments influenced by the cromorne's design may include the basse de musette used in Protestant Switzerland. Interestingly enough, these instruments became an influence on Heckel as he gathered ideas for his Heckelphone
, a wide-bore type of baritone oboe in C sounding one (not two, like the basse de cromorne) octave lower than the oboe, that has been called for by a variety of 20th century composers including Strauss
, Copland
, and Hindemith
. This instrument is still manufactured by Heckel in Germany.
It has been suggested that the stop, which can sound like an unrefined clarinet
or bagpipe, was originally intended to resemble the sound of the actual French cromorne. There are similar variant organ stops with names such as Krumm Horn, Crumm Horn, Cromorna and so forth depending on native language in the country of organ manufacture.
An organ stop with any one of these names typically will be of similar physical pipe design. There is less distinction or difference between the design of an organ 'Cromorne' and an organ 'Crumm Horn' which may bear some of the responsibility for the confusion of the actual instruments which the stops are emulating.
See Bruce Haynes' book The Eloquent Oboe for more historical background, illustrations, and information on this instrument.
Baroque
The Baroque is a period and the style that used exaggerated motion and clear, easily interpreted detail to produce drama, tension, exuberance, and grandeur in sculpture, painting, literature, dance, and music...
period in France, with a sound that is similar in sound to an oversize oboe. The instrument is regularly confused because of its similar-sounding name with the Crumhorn
Crumhorn
The crumhorn is a musical instrument of the woodwind family, most commonly used during the Renaissance period. In modern times, there has been a revival of interest in Early Music, and crumhorns are being played again....
, a musical woodwind instrument of different design.
Crumhorn
By contrast, the crumhornCrumhorn
The crumhorn is a musical instrument of the woodwind family, most commonly used during the Renaissance period. In modern times, there has been a revival of interest in Early Music, and crumhorns are being played again....
(also called Crum Horn or Crumm Horn or Krumm horn or Krummhorn) is a capped double-reed instrument usually shaped like a letter "J" and possesses a rather small melodic range of a ninth, i.e. less than or close to an octave. The crumhorn has a reedy, somewhat humorous, buzzing sound, very strongly reminiscent of passing wind at various different pitches. It was a common Renaissance
Renaissance
The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned roughly the 14th to the 17th century, beginning in Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spreading to the rest of Europe. The term is also used more loosely to refer to the historical era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not...
woodwind instrument often played in consorts of crumhorns. However, it was apparently little used in France, and was called a "tournebout" by French writers.
Cromorne
According to musicologist and specialist Bruce Haynes, who has been a leader of research in this field, the French redesigned the instrument called a "shawmShawm
The shawm was a medieval and Renaissance musical instrument of the woodwind family made in Europe from the 12th century until the 17th century. It was developed from the oriental zurna and is the predecessor of the modern oboe. The body of the shawm was usually turned from a single piece of wood,...
" in English. In France, the shawm
Shawm
The shawm was a medieval and Renaissance musical instrument of the woodwind family made in Europe from the 12th century until the 17th century. It was developed from the oriental zurna and is the predecessor of the modern oboe. The body of the shawm was usually turned from a single piece of wood,...
and the oboe
Oboe
The oboe is a double reed musical instrument of the woodwind family. In English, prior to 1770, the instrument was called "hautbois" , "hoboy", or "French hoboy". The spelling "oboe" was adopted into English ca...
were both called "hautbois", (literally meaning 'high wood') and were considered part of the same family: the oboe was developed from the shawm to meet the changing needs of the French court orchestras. It appears that the "protomorphic" hautboy was developed between 1640–1664 and was first used by Lully
Jean-Baptiste Lully
Jean-Baptiste de Lully was an Italian-born French composer who spent most of his life working in the court of Louis XIV of France. He is considered the chief master of the French Baroque style. Lully disavowed any Italian influence in French music of the period. He became a French subject in...
. By 1670 it appears that the Hotteterres and Philidors had developed the Baroque 3-key oboe as we know it.
French woodwind developers however only created three kinds of oboes: the oboe in C, the haute-contre oboe in A (pitched like the oboe d'amore), and the taille de hautbois in F (like the modern English horn (aka Cor Anglais
Cor anglais
The cor anglais , or English horn , is a double-reed woodwind instrument in the oboe family....
)).
It seems that there was also a family of double reed, oboe-like instruments created during the early 17th century: the cromornes. There was a court ensemble in France called the "cromornes et Trompettes marines," and it seems that the cromorne was constructed in several different sizes from soprano to bass, although by the time the new Baroque oboes were developed, they probably began to replace the perhaps less-refined cromornes playing the upper parts. As there was no true "bass oboe" at the time, however, lower pitched cromornes, especially the basse de cromorne, continued to be used. The bassoon
Bassoon
The bassoon is a woodwind instrument in the double reed family that typically plays music written in the bass and tenor registers, and occasionally higher. Appearing in its modern form in the 19th century, the bassoon figures prominently in orchestral, concert band and chamber music literature...
took some time to be "remodelled" for use in the new French orchestra, and it appears that for some time during the 17th century and early 18th century the bass cromorne was used as the bass oboe
Bass oboe
The bass oboe or baritone oboe is a double reed instrument in the woodwind family. It is about twice the size of a regular oboe and sounds an octave lower; it has a deep, full tone not unlike that of its higher-pitched cousin, the English horn. The bass oboe is notated in the treble clef, sounding...
. Andre Danican Philidor was a player of this instrument, which appeared in the works of Lully and Charpentier.
During the 18th century, it seems that some cromornes were still built, and the instruments we have from this period called "Kontrabass-Oboe" (contrabass oboe
Contrabass oboe
The contrabass oboe is a double reed woodwind instrument in the key of C or F, sounding two octaves lower than the standard oboe.Current research, in particular that by hautboy specialist Bruce Haynes, suggests that such instruments may have been developed in France as part of an original attempt...
) in German were in fact modified, high Baroque bass cromornes. They were probably used in the some of the numerous oboe bands that existed at the time. However, research has yet to turn up a larger body of facts about this instrument. In appearance, it looked like a long, straight oboe with a bocal and finger-extension keys with characteristic wooden "rings" around the bore to mount these keys. It was understood by the middle of the 18th century that the cromorne, or "basson de hautbois," was played until the "basson" was perfected and used instead.
Some holdover instruments influenced by the cromorne's design may include the basse de musette used in Protestant Switzerland. Interestingly enough, these instruments became an influence on Heckel as he gathered ideas for his Heckelphone
Heckelphone
The heckelphone is a musical instrument invented by Wilhelm Heckel and his sons. Introduced in 1904, it is similar to the oboe but pitched an octave lower.-General characteristics:...
, a wide-bore type of baritone oboe in C sounding one (not two, like the basse de cromorne) octave lower than the oboe, that has been called for by a variety of 20th century composers including Strauss
Richard Strauss
Richard Georg Strauss was a leading German composer of the late Romantic and early modern eras. He is known for his operas, which include Der Rosenkavalier and Salome; his Lieder, especially his Four Last Songs; and his tone poems and orchestral works, such as Death and Transfiguration, Till...
, Copland
Aaron Copland
Aaron Copland was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers"...
, and Hindemith
Paul Hindemith
Paul Hindemith was a German composer, violist, violinist, teacher, music theorist and conductor.- Biography :Born in Hanau, near Frankfurt, Hindemith was taught the violin as a child...
. This instrument is still manufactured by Heckel in Germany.
Pipe Organ stop
There is also a common organ stop called "cromorne". It is a reed stop usually at 8' pitch. Tonally it has a buzzing sound otherwise similar to an oboe, although usually more powerful than an oboe stop, and less powerful than cornet or trumpet stops.It has been suggested that the stop, which can sound like an unrefined clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
or bagpipe, was originally intended to resemble the sound of the actual French cromorne. There are similar variant organ stops with names such as Krumm Horn, Crumm Horn, Cromorna and so forth depending on native language in the country of organ manufacture.
An organ stop with any one of these names typically will be of similar physical pipe design. There is less distinction or difference between the design of an organ 'Cromorne' and an organ 'Crumm Horn' which may bear some of the responsibility for the confusion of the actual instruments which the stops are emulating.
See Bruce Haynes' book The Eloquent Oboe for more historical background, illustrations, and information on this instrument.