Bassoon c. 1855

The bassoon, standing at nearly 129cm, was crafted by August Friedrich Andreas Knochenhauer during a time of significant cultural shifts in music. Consider the historical context of 19th-century Europe, where music was not just entertainment but a marker of social status and national identity. Men largely dominated orchestras and musical instrument craftsmanship. Knochenhauer, as a maker of these instruments, played a role in shaping the soundscapes of his era. The bassoon, with its deep, sonorous tones, often provided a harmonic foundation in orchestral pieces that evoked powerful emotions and reflected a sense of national pride. It is not simply an instrument, but a cultural artifact that embodies the spirit and societal values of its time, subtly influencing perceptions and emotions through music.