Trumpets for
Classical and Romantic music

Invention trumpet
after Courtois

In addition, in this category

Piston low F trumpet after Courtois

Rotary low F trumpet after Červený

Stopped trumpet
after Doke

After Alois Doke, Linz, c. 1823

Similar to the horn, the stopped trumpet can be played one to one and a half semitones lower by using hand stopping technique. It is built in Demi-Lune form and has a tuning slide. This instrument is played with the same crooks and bits as the keyed trumpet after Alois Doke. Exception: C and Bb crooks; these must also be curved due to the curved shape of the instrument.

Key in G (440 Hz)
Keys are achieved through different crooks. Possible keys F, E, Eb, D, C, Bb (both 440 Hz or 430 Hz)
Instrument in brass

Keyed trumpet
after Doke

Right-handed design

After Alois Doke, Linz, c. 1823
Original: Music Museum, Basel

Key in G (440 Hz)
Keys are achieved through different crooks. Possible keys F, E, Eb, D, C, Bb (both 440 Hz or 430 Hz)
Instrument in brass
With 5 keys
The instrument is fine tuned via tunings bits, which are available in 10 cent steps (the instrument does not have a tuning slide)

Keyed trumpet
after Bauer

Left-handed design

After Eduard Bauer, 1836 -1871
Original: Private collection Jaroslav Roucek

Key in G (440 Hz)
Keys are achieved through different crooks. Possible keys F, E, Eb, D, C, Bb (both 440 Hz or 430 Hz)
Instrument in brass
With 5 keys
The instrument is fine tuned via tunings bits, which are available in 10 cent steps (the instrument does not have a tuning slide)

Witnesses of the Romantic Era

Original invention trumpet and piston trumpet as set
Hochschule der Künste Bern Instruments by Antoine
Courtois, Paris 1856

The replica of the romantic trumpets after Courtois

After the invention of the valves at the beginning of the 19th century, an exciting transition period arose, during which various trumpet concepts were formed. The natural trumpets of the classical period had their continued existence and existed parallel to the new valve instruments.

A special contemporary witness to this development are the invention trumpets and piston trumpets after Courtois. Although the piston trumpet could be played entirely chromatically in principle, it was equipped with crooks. So it could be played from G to Bb downwards in 7 keys. The same crooks were played on the valveless invention trumpet. Depending on the situation, there were frequent back and forths between the two.

This went so far that both instruments had a common double case as a set, with which one could go to rehearsals and performances and always had both at hand.

Invention trumpet
after Courtois

By Antoine Courtois, Paris, 1856
Original: Hochschule der Künste Bern

The invention trumpet is preserved as a set together with a low F piston trumpet. These instruments were used complementing each other according to the requirements of the work. On request, we manufacture the instrument from MCM material, a special alloy similar to that found in French romantic brass instruments. This reinforces the historical sound and playing characteristics.

Keys in G, F, E, Eb, D, C, Bb (both in 440 Hz and 430 Hz tuning)

Slide trumpet
after Courtois

Version MCM

By Antoine Courtois, Paris, 1850
Original in the collection of the Hochschule der Künste Bern

On request, we manufacture the instrument from MCM material, a special alloy similar to that found in French romantic brass instruments. This reinforces the historical sound and playing characteristics.

Keys in G, F, E, Eb, D, C, Bb (both in 440 Hz and 430 Hz tuning)

Piston
low F trumpet

Piston trumpet in low G/F/E/Eb/D/C/Bb

After Antoine Courtois, Paris 1856

The original is part of a set consisting of invention trumpet and piston trumpet. It is located at the Hochschule der Künste Bern and was copied by Egger as part of a project dedicated to invention trumepts.

As an instrument from the transition period from the natural to the valve instruments, it is a kind of hybrid. It was played in constant alternation with the invention trumpet and was therefore even transported in the same instrument case to always have both at hand. The playing style is also very reminiscent of the natural instruments. Although equipped with valves, it can be played in a number of keys G, F, E, Eb, D, C, Bb (each in 440 Hz, respectively in 430 Hz).

Keys in G, F, E, Eb, D, C, Bb (both in 440 Hz and 430 Hz tuning)

Rotary
low F trumpet

Rotary trumpet in low F after Vaclav Červený, Königgrätz

Rotary valve trumpet in low F/E/Eb/D

After Václav František Červený,
Königgrätz 1878

The trumpet is ideal for German Romanticism and blends very well with our romantic trombones, which are also built in this tradition. It can be equipped with a second tuning slide and set of valve slides to be tuned in the Eb key. The semitone step from F to E, or from Eb to D, takes place via pulling out the main tuning slide.