Josef Glassl

This is a Flugelhorn in C, manufactured by Josef Glassl in Graslitz. Its acoustics present a typical historical profile: it was built to the old High Pitch standard, meaning it plays much closer to a modern-pitch C♯. Initially, based on the photographs provided by the seller, the instrument appeared to be in good shape. However, upon inspection during pickup, it revealed extensive physical damage. Moved by the exceptional friendliness of the seller and the fascinating backstory connected to the horn, I decided to proceed with the purchase anyway. I embraced the challenge as a personal conservation project to see if the horn could be brought back to life. Ultimately, the mechanical restoration was a success; the instrument is functional once again and actually plays surprisingly well.

The most historically significant feature of this flugelhorn is the engraving on the bell garland. Although the text is faint and does not register clearly in photographs, it reads: "Josef Glassl Instr. Erzeugung Graslitz Sudetengau". The designation 'Sudetengau' (officially Reichsgau Sudetenland) refers to the administrative region established by Nazi Germany between 1939 and 1945 following the annexation of the Czechoslovakian border territories. This explicit geographical stamp definitively dates the production of the instrument to this dark and turbulent window. It was almost certainly crafted during the very early years of this period, as the civilian musical instrument industry in Graslitz was entirely halted as World War II progressed in order to prioritize military manufacturing.