sarrusophone
Feb. 13th, 2009 07:27 amsarrusophone - n., a family of metal double-reed wind instrument with a conical bore.
Developed in the 1850s by Pierre-Auguste Sarrus as a replacement for the oboe in military bands -- the wood instrument of the time not having the carrying power needed for outside performances (though there was apparently some intended competition with Adolphus Sax and his 'phone). Sweetwater and Wikipedia have more, if you're interested. The word doesn't appear in English until 1870s, which suggests how well it caught on as an instrument.
---L.
Developed in the 1850s by Pierre-Auguste Sarrus as a replacement for the oboe in military bands -- the wood instrument of the time not having the carrying power needed for outside performances (though there was apparently some intended competition with Adolphus Sax and his 'phone). Sweetwater and Wikipedia have more, if you're interested. The word doesn't appear in English until 1870s, which suggests how well it caught on as an instrument.
---L.