Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
1993.01.01 |
Object Type |
Marimba |
Creator |
J. C. Deagan, Inc. |
Title |
#97 King George Marimba |
Description |
King George Marimba, four octaves F-F.Wooden bars rest on velvet bar rests and strung together with maroon cord. Frame is black painted wood with a silver marbleized finish.Brass uprights, five on left, three on right. Wooden bases for uprights, four rubber casters on corners. Brass hinge in underside center. Two brass resonators in "M" shape. Brass British coat of arms on center front, with words "J.C. Deagan" in background and "Que est primi" in foreground. Place for engraved name (empty). On ends are white 1" spray-painted "9", similar "9" on right middle brass frame upright. On players side of frame, left label, "Carroll Music Instr Svce, Item: Marimba, Inv. #:#1, serial #: Deagan", app. 3/4x1" left of center, "Marimba No.", 1" spray-painted white letters. Right of center, "Carroll Music Instrument Service" in 1/2" white letters. On right side upper frame, maker's plate, "J.C. Deagan Inc., Chicago; Cat No:IMSO, Model: FL97". Deagan stamp in lowest F# bar. |
Dimensions |
H-36 W-31 L-76 inches |
People |
J. C. Deagan, Inc. Musser, Clair Omar International Marimba Orchestra (1935) |
Date |
1934 |
Additional Research |
In 1934, Clair Omar Musser began to organize his 100-piece marimba ensemble known as the International Marimba Symphony Orchestra (IMSO). Musser coordinated all activities of the ensemble, including auditioning the players, arranging the music, and designing the unique King George marimba, which was built by the J. C. Deagan company expressly for the IMSO. Only 102 King George marimbas were built: 100 for each member of the orchestra, one for Musser himself, and one as a spare. The marimbas were also personalized for the performers. Each was adjusted to the height of the individual player and each featured the name of the member engraved on the gold British coat-of-arms on the front of the instrument. The PAS marimba is number 97 of the 102 instruments made. The range is four octaves from F (below middle C) to f4. It has brass end posts, and the brass resonators have three height adjustments for adapting the instrument to different temperatures. Percussive Notes, February 1998. King George Marimba, Number 97 Chicago 1934 The King George marimba was designed by Clair Omar Musser and built to his specifications by the J.C. Deagan Company in 1934. Only 102 marimbas of his design were made - one for each member of Musser's International Marimba Symphony Orchestra, one for Musser himself and one intended for presentation to King George V of England, the instrument's namesake. The ensemble also included two bass marimbas with a similar design. Built in two heights to accommodate the performer's stature, the four-octave range of the King George marimba was either C to C or F to F. This instrument is labeled FL97, meaning that its range is F to F, its height was the lower version, and it was the 97th King George marimba in the set. Most fo the marimbas have a crest on the front engraved with the name of the original owner.This instrument was played by an unidentified teenager who joined Clair Musser's ensemble in Chicago and toured with the group during the spring of 1935. Besides designing the ensemble's instruments, Musser auditioned the performers for his International Marimba Symphony Orchestra, arranged the music, rehearsed and directed the ensemble, booked their passage and performance venues, and handled publicity and press relations. The command performance, however, never took place because the ensemble, caught in the dispute between British and American musicians' unions over job-related issues in New York City, was not permitted to disembark at Southampton. They eventually sailed on to France. PAS Museum Exhibit Label The King George Marimba #97 Chicago 1934 This marimba was on tour with Clair Omar Musser's International Marimba Symphony Orchestra, organized in 1934. Musser coordinated all activities of this popular ensemble, including autidioning the players, arranging the music they performed, and designing the unique King George marimbas that were then built by the J.C. Deagan Company to Musser's specifications - complete with brass end posts and brass resonators. During their European tour, the orchestra was scheduled to perform for King George V, in whose honor the instruments had been named. Only 102 King George marimbas were built, one for each member of the ensemble of 50 women and 50 men, one for Musser himself, and one to be presented to KingGeorge. The ensemble of instruments included a single bass marimba. The other instruments were built in two heights to accomodate the performance needs of shorter and taller players. The four-octave range of some instruments was C to C, while the range of others was F to F. A plate fixed to the frame at the upper end of this marimba carries the code "FL97," meaning that its range is F-F, that it is one of the instruments whose keyboard is "lower," and that it is the 97th instrument in the set. To Musser's obvious dissapointment, the concert for King George was cancelled as a result of an unrelated dispute between teh British and American musicians' unions. The orchestra was not permitted to disembark at Southampton, and they eventually sailed to France. PAS Museum Exhibit Label |
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Credit line |
Gift of Carroll Bratman |