Valved brasses

About “Valved brasses”

The book examines the early nineteenth-century invention of the valve for brass instruments, a development that had lasting significance. It focuses on the controversy surrounding the adoption of valved brass instruments, as documented in newspapers and other sources. The author, Christian Ahrens, explores how these instruments were received in art music, military music, and folk music. Using journalistic sources, the book highlights the social and aesthetic debates rather than the mechanical details. It provides a detailed account of how valved brass instruments were perceived and integrated into different musical contexts during their early years.