 A Harmoneon by the Italian manufacturer Cavagnolo, manufactured in 1985. | |
| Other instrument | |
|---|---|
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 412.132[1] (Free-reedaerophone) |
| Inventor(s) | Pierre Monichon |
| Developed | 1948 |
| Related instruments | |
| Accordion,Duet concertina,melodeon | |
TheHarmoneon orconcert accordion[2] (French:Harmonéon, accordeon de concert) is a Frenchfree reed aerophone,[3] invented byPierre Monichon in 1948, although he onlypatented the instrument four years later in 1952. It has been taught in musicalconservatories since 1974.[4] The instrument has great similarity to both theduet concertina andbutton accordion.
As a young accordion teacher, the initial motivation of Pierre Monichon was to create his own fully fledgedconcert instrument, to be included in the same brigade of so-called "noble instruments"; thepiano, theviolin and so forth. Unbeknownst to Monichon, this idea was far from original. The local factory had been creating accordions with symmetrical keyboards, which was a first step towards the creation of the Harmoneon. The instrument was designed to be played withsymphony orchestra.[5]
TheStradella bass system had long been controversial in the accordion world, as it was dissatisfactory to manyaccordionists. This was for several reasons, mostly in that it restrictedclassical repertoire, and that it was not veryergonomical.[6] Many other bassboard configurations had been tested, such as the 'bassette' system.[7]
Monichon proposed a new keyboard system, which eliminated prepared chords, with the aim to lighten the instrument's left hand, creating a more homogenoustimbre between the two keyboards.[6] The new layout had the same fingering as the right hand, and was more ergonomic.[8][9] A new system of keyboard layout had to be created, identical to the keyboard in the right hand, which allowed for Fortunately, this system had already been created for instruments such as theBayan, in the beginning of the 20th century,
The first harmoneonprototype by Giovanni Segalla were created inParis in 1948. Segalla was thebrother-in-law of Bortolo Busato, an Italianluthier specialising inguitars who later created many Harmoneons. Busato made these instruments as a favour to Monichon, who was the accordionteacher of his twodaughters.[6] Later on, harmoneons were added to the catalogues of accordion producers such asBonifassi,[10]Atelier,[11]Cavagnolo, andMaugein. The instrument was played primarily in France, the Netherlands and in Germany. However, interest in the Harmoneon has been renewed in recent years.[citation needed]
Numerous French composers wrote for the Harmoneon, particularly Alain Abbot.[12]
The first concert for the Harmonéon was performed by Monique Lecoq-Taupin, another student of Monichon's,[13] in 1949. She performedThe Marriage of Figaro, by Mozart. In 1956 she formed the first Harmoneon duo with her husband, Charles Taupin, another student of Monichon.[6]
A Harmonean course is taught to this day at theConservatoire de Paris. The course was originally formed in 1968, taught bt Monichon and Taupin. As of 2022, it is taught by Frédéric Guérouet.[14]