423.233.2 (Valved aerophone sounded by lip vibration with cylindrical bore longer than 2 metres)
Developed
early 19th century, in Italian opera orchestras; modern design emerged mid 20th century
Playing range
The range of the early cimbasso (see serpent, ophicleide)[1] and modern cimbasso in F
Related instruments
Contrabass trombone
Tuba
Upright serpent
Ophicleide
Musicians
Mattis Cederberg [sv]
Tommy Johnson
Jim Self
Doug Tornquist
Builders
Červený
G&P (formerly Kalison)
Haag
Helmut Voigt
Jürgen Voigt
Lätzsch
Melton Meinl Weston
Mike Johnson Custom
Rudolf Meinl
Thein
Wessex
[2]
The cimbasso is a low brass instrument that covers the same range as a tuba or contrabass trombone. First appearing in Italy in the early 19th century as an upright serpent, the term cimbasso came to denote several instruments that could play the lowest brass part in 19th century Italian opera orchestras. The modern cimbasso design, first appearing as the trombone basso Verdi in the 1880s, has four to six rotary valves (or occasionally piston valves), a forward-facing bell, and a predominantly cylindrical bore. These features lend its sound to the bass of the trombone family rather than the tuba, and its valves allow for more agility than a contrabass trombone. Like the modern contrabass trombone, it is most often pitched in F, although models are occasionally made in E♭ and low C or B♭.
In the modern orchestra, cimbasso parts are usually played by tuba players as a doubling instrument. Although most commonly used for performances of late Romantic Italian opera, it has since found increased and more diverse use. Jazz musician Mattis Cederberg [sv] uses cimbasso in big bands and as a solo instrument. Cimbasso is now commonly called for in film and video game soundtracks. Los Angeles tuba players Tommy Johnson, Doug Tornquist and Jim Self have featured on many Hollywood recordings playing cimbasso, particularly since the popularisation of loud, low-brass heavy orchestral soundtracks.
^Meucci 1996, p. 155–6.
^Cite error: The named reference manufacturers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
The cimbasso is a low brass instrument that covers the same range as a tuba or contrabass trombone. First appearing in Italy in the early 19th century...
Europe and in military bands. The cimbasso covers the same range as a tuba or a contrabass trombone. The term cimbasso first appeared in early 19th century...
by Verdi and Puccini. This instrument was the prototype for the modern cimbasso, which has seen a 21st century revival in video game music and film scores...
Britain) and Henry Distin (who eventually found his way to America). The cimbasso is also seen instead of a tuba in the orchestral repertoire. The name is...
trombones. Italian composers for much of the 19th century specified the cimbasso as the bass voice of the brass section, a confusing term which over time...
trombones 1–2 bass trombones of which 1 might play 1 contrabass trombone 1 cimbasso 1–2 tubas of which 1 might play 1 baritone horn 1 euphonium Percussion...
Developed Late 16th century Playing range Related instruments Trombone Contrabass trombone Cimbasso Musicians Ben van Dijk George Roberts Douglas Yeo...
Italian opera composer Giuseppe Verdi scored for either serpentone or cimbasso in his early operas, but parts were often played on the ophicleide until...
trumpet, B♭ mellophone F2 12 ft (3.7 m) French horn, contrabass trombone, cimbasso E♭2 or F2 13.5, 12 ft (4.1, 3.7 m) bass tuba B♭1 or C2 18, 16 ft (5.5, 4...
B♭ bass trumpet, it has the same length as the F contrabass trombone, cimbasso, or tuba. Some (sometimes called the subcontrabass trumpet) are built larger...
four horns, two trumpets, three trombones (two tenor, one bass), one cimbasso, timpani, bass drum, cymbals, side drum, triangle, two harps, strings,...
Haag, Rath, S.E. Shires, Schagerl, and Thein. In 2004 Haag released a cimbasso in F built with five Hagmann valves. Although discontinued, this instrument...
clarinet, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, one cimbasso, one harp, timpani, bass drum and cymbals, snare drum, on-stage band with...
Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker. Self often doubles on cimbasso for soundtrack work, particularly since the late 1990s. Jim Self holds...
two clarinets, two bassoons, four horns, two trumpets, three trombones, cimbasso, timpani, cymbals, bass drum, harp and strings, together with offstage...
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