Arthur Quentin de Gromard

Arthur Quentin de Gromard (1821–1896) was a French musician.

Gromard lived in Eu, Seine-Maritime, founded a philharmonic society (the Cécilienne) in 1857, and he was the inventor of a musical instrument, called the cecilium (1861). He spent 35 years on the design of this complex instrument, a cross between a harmonium and a cello. It is related to the concertina, bandoneon and the accordion. Only 310 originals were ever created. This instrument is on display in museums in Brussels, Milan and New York, the Schweizerisches Harmonium-Museum, Liestal and Ringve Museum, Trondheim, Norway. The instrument uses free reeds and, according to its inventor, could be used as a solo instrument, to provide accompaniment, or as a quartet.(2000). Musical Instrument Museum Visitor's Guide, p.185. Mardaga . However, "its sound was not powerful enough to meet the demands of a regular orchestral instrument.""The Collection Online: Cecilium", MetMuseum.org.

It was described in the Crosby Brown Collection:

Arthur Quentin de Gromard

Bron en licentie