Loophonium

The Loophonium is a brass instrument created by Fritz Spiegl. Designed in 1960, it is a cross between a euphonium and a toilet. The Loophonium has been named by some as "the most unusual musical instrument of all time".^[1] It currently resides in the Walker Art Gallery.

Loophonium

The Loophonium at the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool
Brass instrument
Other names	Harpic-cord
Classification	Aerophone
Inventor	Fritz Spiegl
Developed	20th century
Related instruments
Euphonium

Etymology

The Loophonium is a portmanteau of loo, a British name for a toilet, and euphonium.^[2] The Loophonium's alternative name, the Harpic-cord (or Harpic-phone),^[3] is a play both on the harpsichord instrument and the Harpic brand of toilet cleaner.^[4][5][6]

Origins

The Loophonium was designed and fabricated by Fritz Spiegl in Liverpool in 1960.^[7] Spiegl was known for his musical jokes; he had previously composed music such as a Concerto for Two Tuning Forks and the Motor Horn Concerto.^[6] The instrument was made to use for concerts held by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic on April Fools' Day at the Philharmonic Hall.^[8][1] Spiegl had been holding these concerts since 1952. During this time, Spiegl was the principal flautist of the orchestra (1948–1963).^[4]

Design

The Loophonium consists of two parts: a silver-plated^[9] euphonium with Perinet valves^[7] connected at the bell to a mock-Victorian toilet.^[8][5][6] The toilet was painted with flower designs by Spiegl's eight-year-old daughter, Emily.^[4][6] The toilet seat is in the shape of a golden three-stringed lyre.^{[8][4][7][10]} The design is patented.^[4]

Usage

Philharmonic Hall, home to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic

The Loophonium was played by Spiegl at the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's April Fools' Day and "Nuts in May" concerts.^[5][6] When the national anthem was played at concerts involving the Loophonium, the toilet seat would be raised as if to salute.^[1][6][4] It was also used once by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, where it was played by the principal tuba.^[11]

The Loophonium resided at the house of Peter Spaull, a classical music journalist, for two years. It was played on New Year's Eve by Spaull to bring in the new year.^[11]

After Spiegl's death in 2003, the Loophonium was sold to the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool for a price of £2,640.^[8][3][5] It was sold at Sotheby's Bond Street auction house on 23 November in a lot of 103 instruments. The sale also included a copy of Spiegl's Music Through the Looking Glass.^[10][7] After a repair in 2004 at the National Conservation Centre,^[12][11] the Loophonium was put on display in 2006 at the William Brown Street gallery.^[9] The display includes a speaker that plays a recording of Frère Jacques on the Loophonium.^[13] The absurdity of the instrument makes it very popular with children.^[14]