Loophonium

The Loophonium is a brass instrument created by Fritz Spiegl. Designed in 1960, it is a cross between a euphonium and a toilet. The Loophonium has been named by some as "the most unusual musical instrument of all time".[1] It currently resides in the Walker Art Gallery.

Loophonium
The Loophonium at the
Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Brass instrument
Other namesHarpic-cord
Classification Aerophone
Inventor(s)Fritz Spiegl
Developed20th century
Related instruments
Euphonium

Etymology

The Loophonium is a portmanteau of loo, a British name for a toilet, and euphonium.[2] The Loophonium's alternative name, the Harpic-cord (or Harpic-phone),[3] is a play both on the harpsichord instrument and the Harpic brand of toilet cleaner.[4][5][6]

Origins

The Loophonium was designed and fabricated by Fritz Spiegl in Liverpool in 1960.[7] Spiegl was known for his musical jokes; he had previously composed music such as a Concerto for Two Tuning Forks and the Motor Horn Concerto.[6] The instrument was made to use for concerts held by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic on April Fools' Day at the Philharmonic Hall.[8][1] Spiegl had been holding these concerts since 1952. During this time, Spiegl was the principal flautist of the orchestra (1948–1963).[4]

Design

The Loophonium consists of two parts: a silver-plated[9] euphonium with Perinet valves[7] connected at the bell to a mock-Victorian toilet.[8][5][6] The toilet was painted with flower designs by Spiegl's eight-year-old daughter, Emily.[4][6] The toilet seat is in the shape of a golden three-stringed lyre.[8][4][7][10] The design is patented.[4]

Usage
Philharmonic Hall, home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

The Loophonium was played by Spiegl at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's April Fools' Day and "Nuts in May" concerts.[5][6] When the national anthem was played at concerts involving the Loophonium, the toilet seat would be raised as if to salute.[1][6][4] It was also used once by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, where it was played by the principal tuba.[11]

The Loophonium resided at the house of Peter Spaull, a classical music journalist, for two years. It was played on New Year's Eve by Spaull to bring in the new year.[11]

After Spiegl's death in 2003, the Loophonium was sold to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool for a price of £2,640.[8][3][5] It was sold at Sotheby's Bond Street auction house on 23 November in a lot of 103 instruments. The sale also included a copy of Spiegl's Music Through the Looking Glass.[10][7] After a repair in 2004 at the National Conservation Centre,[12][11] the Loophonium was put on display in 2006 at the William Brown Street gallery.[9] The display includes a speaker that plays a recording of Frère Jacques on the Loophonium.[13] The absurdity of the instrument makes it very popular with children.[14]

References
  1. Davis, Laura (10 August 2011). "Adolf Hitler, Tressell and a musical lavatory!". Daily Post (Liverpool). No. 2 – via The Free Library.
  2. Yeo, Douglas. "Trombone Humor". Douglas Yeo Trombone.
  3. jackson, artinliverpool (27 July 2006). "Fritz Spiegl's 'Loophonium' at the Walker". Art in Liverpool. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  4. "Liverpool museums – 'Loophonium' , by Fritz Spiegl | Artwork of the Month". 17 February 2008. Archived from the original on 17 February 2008. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  5. Paull, Jennifer (2007). Cathy Berberian and Music's Muses. Jennifer Paull. ISBN 978-1-84753-889-5.
  6. Treuherz, Julian; Figueiredo, Peter de (2016). 111 Places in Liverpool that you shouldn't miss (in German). Emons Verlag. ISBN 978-3-96041-030-0.
  7. "Lot 272: Loophonium". Sotheby's.
  8. "The Walker In Liverpool Splashes Out £2,640 On Musical Toilet | Culture24". 31 July 2010. Archived from the original on 31 July 2010. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  9. Echo, Liverpool (27 July 2006). "Music to drive you round the u-bend". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  10. "Loophonium to be auctioned by Sotheby's". www.antiquestradegazette.com. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  11. Wolstenholme, Jane (6 January 2005). "TRUST THE POST: Down memory lane". Daily Post (Liverpool) – via The Free Library.
  12. Christopher, Liam (29 December 2004). "Stash of hidden treasures in search of a new home". Daily Post (Liverpool) – via The Free Library.
  13. Davis, Laura (2 April 2018). "20 Liverpool places even Scousers might not know". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
  14. "Half-term: the best art galleries and exhibitions for children". www.telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 12 January 2023.
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