Brass Instrument Production by the Mahillon Company

The Mahillon instrument-making firm was run as a successful family business for the 100 years from 1836. Brass instruments constituted a large part of the manufactory output. For much of this time it was effectively directed by Victor-Charles Mahillon who, uniquely for a manufacturer was a pioneer in musical acoustics and in organology, being also active as an instrument collector and museum curator. This article explores Victor Mahillon’s vision of the important characteristic of brass instruments and discusses his public disputes with leading musicologists and music critics. This article describes the most innovative of the brasswind models offered by the firm and discusses how they were influenced by current trends in brasswind design, the social environment and musical practices of professional and amateur musicians, and the requirements and tastes of prominent composers and performers. The introduction of the ‘Bach’ trumpet is given particular attention.