New keys and valves

«Brass Instruments according to the latest trend»: that is, how the Hirsbrunner Brothers advertised in a newspaper in 1819. They owned a woodturning factory in Sumiswald, 20 kilometres from Berne, making also clarinets and flutes.

And now, they began to manufacture brass instruments, trumpets, horns and trombones. This way, they were able to furnish a wind band completely, including bassoons and percussion instruments. Orders came from far away, even from Italy.

In order to manufacture „according to the newest taste», they had to keep pace with the new technologies, such as additional keys for flutes and clarinets, and the new brass wind instruments with keys, such a the ophicleides. Soon, the Hirsbrunner Brothers added also the latest invention: valves for the brass family. Already in 1829, they made trumpets with Vienna valves, later such with French pistons or with rotary valves.

Soon, the Hirsbrunner factory was among the most important wind instrument makers in Switzerland. Over eight generations and for 200 years, 19 members of the family were active in this profession. After 1880, they concentrated on brass instruments. In the 20th century, their tubas were particularly favored. Their competitors in Bern of the 19th century were the woodwind makers Felchlin as well as for brass instruments Christian Häfelen-Schenk (active 1836–1860, probably a scholar of Hirsbrunner) and Johannes Hertig (active 1848–1878).

The Musikgesellschaft Sumiswald in around 1881 with their conductor, the instrument maker Friedrich Hirsbrunner (sitting in the middle, behind the drum).
In 1829, Hirsbrunner made this trumpet with two Vienna valves. This is probably the very first valved brass instrument made in Switzerland. The engraving on the cover plate shows the typical instruments of the factory Hirsbrunner of that time (from left to right): natural horn, clarinet, trombone (to be played over the shoulder), bass horn with dragon head, trombone with dragon head, bassoon and natural trumpet. However, a valve trumpet is not shown.
Price list of the brothers Hirsbrunner, around 1830. Many different models of all brass and woodwind instruments are offered. Here you find a transcript and an English translation.

Hirsbrunner pricelist, transcription. Please scroll for an English translation

English translation

Family tree of the instrument makers Hirsbrunner

19 members of the family Hirsbrunner were instrument makers. A first company, «Gebrüder Hirsbrunner» was active at Sumiswald (blue). Johann Ulrich, third generation, separated from his uncles and cousins and founded his own company at Grünen near Sumiswald (green). His son Friedrich moved back to Sumiswald in 1900 into a former clock factory, were the company was active almost until our days. Jakob Hirsbrunner, the other son of Johann Ulrich, founded his own company at Aarau in 1870 (red). This company existed over three generations up to 1965.

The 19 instrument makers Hirsbrunner. Their sisters and brothers are not mentioned here.
Johann Ulrich Hirsbrunner. He separated from his oncles and cousins and founded his own company. He was the first Hirsbrunner to sign with his first names.

A cornet to eat or to play with?

[answer]

To play music on it!

«Cornet» simply means little horn and is a popular musical instrument. Originally it was played by horn players.