Valves Evolve

This volume deals with instruments and documents that trace the invention and development of valves for brass wind instruments from the late 18th to the early 20th century. The history of all important valve types (with the exclusion of the modern piston valve) and their use in various instrument types are explored. The disputes between the two earliest protagonists, Heinrich Stölzel and Friedrich Blühmel, that led to the first joint patent for valves on brass wind instruments in 1818, are investigated on the basis of key documents. These are made accessible for the first time in transcriptions of the original German with English translations. Like the two earlier volumes, the present one is based primarily on the Utley Collection, but includes examples from other collections at the National Music Museum, as well as other museums and private collections. The subjects described in this volume are richly illustrated with numerous graphs, drawings, and over 800 color photographs. The trumpeters Vince DiMartino, Don Johnson, and Jeff Stockham bring selected instruments from the Utley Collection to life in the enclosed DVD. - Jacket flap.