Orphica

In today's world, Orphica has become a topic of great importance and debate. The relevance of Orphica has transcended different areas, from science to popular culture, generating conflicting opinions and triggering endless discussions. The importance of understanding and addressing Orphica comprehensively is fundamental, since its implications not only impact at the individual level, but also have repercussions at the collective level. In this article, we will explore various perspectives on Orphica, analyzing its meaning, implications, and how it has shaped our current society.

Orphica by Joseph Dohnal (Kunsthistorisches Museum)

The orphica is a portable piano invented by Carl Leopold Röllig in the late 18th century. Like a guitar, the orphica could be held on a shoulder strap, thus being an early forerunner of the modern keytar.

Only a few orphicas were made in Vienna from 1795 to 1810; about 30 orphicas are still in existence today.

Beethoven's compositions for orphica

Among the few composers writing for the orphica was Ludwig van Beethoven. According to a letter of Beethoven's friend Franz Gerhard Wegeler from December 23, 1827, Wegeler had 2 Stückchen für die Orphica, die Bhven für meine Frau componirte ('2 small pieces for the orphica which Beethoven composed for my wife'). This refers to the two pieces of 1798, WoO. 51, formerly erroneously titled Leichte Klaviersonate.

Gallery

References

  1. ^ "Orphica". Music Instruments Index. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 25 April 2015.
  2. ^ Beethoven aus der Sicht seiner Zeitgenossen, ed. Klaus Martin Kopitz and Rainer Cadenbach, Munich 2009, vol. 2, p. 788

Further reading

  • Carl Leopold Röllig, Orphica. Ein musikalisches Instrument. Erfunden von C. L. Röllig, Vienna 1795
  • Benjamin Vogel, Orphicas, Genuin, Less Genuin and Fakes, in: The Galpin Society Journal, Nr. 57 (May 2004), pp. 19–45 and 204–205
  • Andreas Beurmann, Das Buch vom Klavier. Die Sammlung Beurmann im Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe in Hamburg und auf Gut Hasselburg in Ostholstein, 2008
  • Klaus Martin Kopitz, Beethoven as a Composer for the Orphica: A New Source for WoO 51, in: The Beethoven Journal, vol. 22, No 1 (Summer 2007), pp. 25–30 (PDF)

External links