Harmonic Trumpet German Trompette Harmonique French Harmonietrompete German Trompet Harmonique corruption?

These names denote Trumpet stops with harmonic (double) length resonators. The Trompette Harmonique was invented by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, and first used in 1841 in his organ at St.-Denis, Paris, France. This instrument featured an 8' Trompette Harmonique on each of its four manuals, plus a 4' Clairon Harmonique on the Recit. Maclean reports that Cavaillé-Coll's Trompettes invariably employed harmonic trebles (presumably after 1841), and sometimes even double-harmonic resonators.

George Willis further expanded on Cavaillé-Coll's invention, creating Harmonic Trumpets that were fuller and richer than the French stops, which (according to Audsley) tended to be somewhat hard and brassy compared to their English counterparts.

The use of harmonic resonators does not, by itself, result in louder tone. On the contrary, harmonic resonators tend to subdue the tone, all other things being equal. They also make the tone purer and less dissonant. The double-length resonators are typically used in the treble part of the compass.

Variants

Examples

Osiris contains about thirteen dozen examples of Trompette Harmonique, two dozen examples of Harmonic Trumpet, and five examples of Trompet Harmonique. No examples are known of Harmonietrompete. Contributions welcome.

Sound Clips

Bibliography