 The Loophonium at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool | |
| Brass instrument | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Harpic-cord |
| Classification | Aerophone |
| Inventor(s) | Fritz Spiegl |
| Developed | 20th century |
| Related instruments | |
| Euphonium | |
The Loophonium is a brass instrument created by Fritz Spiegl. Designed in 1960, it is a cross between a euphonium and a toilet. The Loophonium has been named by some as "the most unusual musical instrument of all time". [1] It currently resides in the Walker Art Gallery.
The Loophonium is a portmanteau of loo, a British name for a toilet, and euphonium. [2] The Loophonium's alternative name, the Harpic-cord (or Harpic-phone), [3] is a play both on the harpsichord instrument and the Harpic brand of toilet cleaner. [4] [5] [6]
The Loophonium was designed and fabricated by Fritz Spiegl in Liverpool in 1960. [7] Spiegl was known for his musical jokes; he had previously composed music such as a Concerto for Two Tuning Forks and the Motor Horn Concerto. [6] The instrument was made to use for concerts held by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic on April Fools' Day at the Philharmonic Hall. [8] [1] Spiegl had been holding these concerts since 1952. During this time, Spiegl was the principal flautist of the orchestra (1948–1963). [4]
The Loophonium consists of two parts: a silver-plated [9] euphonium with Perinet valves [7] connected at the bell to a mock-Victorian toilet. [8] [5] [6] The toilet was painted with flower designs by Spiegl's eight-year-old daughter, Emily. [4] [6] The toilet seat is in the shape of a golden three-stringed lyre. [8] [4] [7] [10] The design is patented. [4]
The Loophonium was played by Spiegl at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's April Fools' Day and "Nuts in May" concerts. [5] [6] When the national anthem was played at concerts involving the Loophonium, the toilet seat would be raised as if to salute. [1] [6] [4] It was also used once by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, where it was played by the principal tuba. [11]
The Loophonium resided at the house of Peter Spaull, a classical music journalist, for two years. It was played on New Year's Eve by Spaull to bring in the new year. [11]
After Spiegl's death in 2003, the Loophonium was sold to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool for a price of £2,640. [8] [3] [5] It was sold at Sotheby's Bond Street auction house on 23 November in a lot of 103 instruments. The sale also included a copy of Spiegl's Music Through the Looking Glass. [10] [7] After a repair in 2004 at the National Conservation Centre, [12] [11] the Loophonium was put on display in 2006 at the William Brown Street gallery. [9] The display includes a speaker that plays a recording of Frère Jacques on the Loophonium. [13] The absurdity of the instrument makes it very popular with children. [14]
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