Bassoon

Description

Jeremias Schlegel lived in Basle from 1742 to 1792 and, like Johann Jacob Brosy, is one of the important Basle instrument makers of the C18. He probably learned his craft from his father Christian, whose workshop he took over in 1746. In 1752 he was appointed as a "musicus" to the post of "civis academicus" and produced woodwind instruments for the city's Collegium musicum. The total of 13 instruments made by the two Schlegels in the Museum is represented here by this bassoon, which is outstanding especially for its costly material. The signature SCHLEGEL / A BALE (stamped) is found on all parts of the instrument. The six keyed instrument represents the type used in orchestras and in chamber music in the late C18. It is quite conceivable that the instrument was played in the Basle Collegium musicum at that time.