Heckelphone

Summary

The heckelphone is a musical instrument invented by Wilhelm Heckel and his sons. The idea of inventing the instrument was initiated by Richard Wagner, who suggested its concept at the occasion of a visit of Wilhelm Heckel in 1879. Introduced in 1904, the heckelphone resembles an oboe but is pitched an octave lower, similar to the bass oboe. In addition to the pitch difference, the heckelphone has a larger bore.