A Harmonium is a free-standing musical keyboard instrument similar to a Reed Organ or Pipe Organ. It consists of free reeds and sound is produced by air being blown through reeds resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion. The accordion is a portable box-shaped Musical instrument of the hand-held Bellows -driven free-reed aerophone family sometimes referred to as a Squeezebox The air is supplied by foot-operated (or, as with the type of harmonium used in Indian music, hand-operated) bellows alternately depressed by the player. A harmonium is a free-standing musical keyboard instrument similar to a Reed Organ or Pipe Organ

Harmonium or Reed Organ?

The British introduced harmoniums to India during the colonial period. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country In North America, the most common pedal-pumped free reed keyboard instrument is known as the American Reed Organ, (or parlor organ, pump organ, cabinet organ, cottage organ, etc. ) and along with the earlier melodeon, is operated by a suction bellows where air is sucked through the reeds to produce the sound. A reed organ with a pressure bellows, that pushes the air through the reeds, is referred to as a harmonium. A reed organ, also called parlor organ pump organ cabinet organ cottage organ, is an organ that generates its sounds using free metal reeds.

In much of Europe, the term "harmonium" is used to describe all pedal pumped keyboard free reed instruments, making no distinction whether it has a pressure or suction bellows. A bellows is a device for delivering pressurized Air in a controlled quantity to a controlled location

History

The harmonium was invented in Paris in 1842 by Alexandre Debain, though there was concurrent development of similar instruments. Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Christian Gottlieb Kratzenstein (1723-1795), Professor of Physiology at Copenhagen, was credited with the first free reed to be made in the western world after winning the annual prize in 1780 from the Imperial Academy of St. Petersburg. [1]

Harmoniums reached the height of their popularity in the West in the late 19th- and early-20th centuries. They were especially popular in small churches and chapels where a pipe organ would be too large or too expensive. A chapel is a holy place or area of Worship for Christians, which may be attached to an institution such as a large church, a College, a The pipe organ is a Musical instrument that produces sound when pressurized air (wind is driven through a series of pipes, controlled by a keyboard Harmoniums generally weigh less than similarly-sized pianos and are not as easily damaged in transport, thus they were also popular throughout the colonies of the European powers in this period- not only because it was easier to ship the instrument out to where it was needed, but it was also easier to transport overland in areas where good-quality roads and railways may have been non-existent. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers An added attraction of the harmonium in tropical regions was that the instrument held its tune regardless of heat and humidity, unlike the piano. The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers This 'export' market was sufficiently lucrative for manufacturers to produce harmoniums with cases impregnated with chemicals to prevent woodworm and other damaging organisms found in the tropics. A Woodworm is not a specific species. It is the Larval stage of certain Wood-boring beetles including Ambrosia beetles ( Platypodidae

At the peak of the instruments' popularity around 1900, a wide variety of styles of harmoniums were being produced. These ranged from simple models with plain cases and only 4 or 5 stops (if any at all), up to large instruments with ornate cases, up to a dozen stops and other mechanisms such as couplers. An organ stop (or just stop) is a component of a Pipe organ which admits pressurized air (known as wind) to a set of Organ pipes Its name Expensive harmoniums were often built to resemble pipe organs, with ranks of fake pipes attached to the top of the instrument. The pipe organ is a Musical instrument that produces sound when pressurized air (wind is driven through a series of pipes, controlled by a keyboard Small numbers of harmoniums were built with two manuals (keyboards). Some were even built with pedal keyboards, which required the use of an assistant to run the bellows or, for some of the later models, an electrical pump. These larger instruments were mainly intended for home use, such as allowing organists to practise on an instrument on the scale of a pipe organ, but without the physical size or volume of such an instrument. An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or Orchestra, or accompany For missionaries, chaplains in the armed forces, travelling evangelists, and the like, reed organs that folded up into a container the size of a very large suitcase or small trunk were made; these had a short keyboard and few stops, but they were more than adequate for keeping hymn-singers more-or-less on pitch.

The invention of the electronic organ in the mid-1930s spelt the end of the harmonium's success (although its popularity as a household instrument declined in the 1920s as musical tastes changed). An electronic organ is an Electronic keyboard instrument originally designed to imitate the sound of a Pipe organ. The Hammond organ could imitate the tonal quality and range of a pipe organ whilst retaining the compact dimensions and cost-effectiveness of the harmonium whilst reducing maintenance needs and allowing a greater number of stops and other features. The Hammond organ is an electric organ which was invented by Laurens Hammond in 1934 and manufactured by the Hammond Organ Company An organ stop (or just stop) is a component of a Pipe organ which admits pressurized air (known as wind) to a set of Organ pipes Its name By this time harmoniums had reached high levels of mechanical complexity- not only through the need to provide instruments with a greater tonal range, but (especially in North America) due to patent laws. It was common for manufacturers to patent the action mechanism used on their instruments, thus requiring any new manufacturer to develop their own version- as the number of manufacturers grew this led to some instruments having hugely complex arrays of levers, cranks, rods and shafts which made replacement with an electronic instrument even more attractive.

The last mass-producer of harmoniums in the West was the Estey company, which ceased manufacture in the mid-1950s. As the existing stock of instruments aged and spare parts became hard to find, more and more were either scrapped or sold. It was not uncommon for harmoniums to be 'modernised' by having electric blowers fitted, often very unsympathetically. The majority of harmoniums today are in the hands of enthusiasts.

A relatively modern example of the use of a harmonium can be found in The Beatles' hits "We Can Work It Out" and "Real Love". The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 " We Can Work It Out " is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and released by The Beatles as a " Double A-sided

Construction

Harmoniums consist of banks of brass reeds (metal tongues which vibrate when air flows over them), a pumping apparatus, stops for drones (some models feature a stop which causes a form of vibrato), and a keyboard. The harmonium's timbre, despite its similarity to the accordion's, is actually produced in a critically different way. In Music, timbre (ˈtæm-bər' like timber, or, from Fr timbre tɛ̃bʁ is the quality of a Musical note or sound that distinguishes different Instead of the bellows causing a direct flow of air over the reeds, an external feeder bellows inflates an internal reservoir bellows inside the harmonium from which air escapes to vibrate the reeds. This design is similar to bagpipes as it allows the harmonium to create a continuously sustained sound. (Some better-class harmoniums of the 19th and early 20th centuries incorporated an “expression stop” which bypassed the reservoir, allowing a skilled player to regulate the strength of the air-flow directly from the pedal-operated bellows and so to achieve a certain amount of direct control over dynamics. ) If a harmonium has two sets of reeds, it's possible that the second set of reeds (either tuned unison or an octave lower) can be activated by a stop, which means each key pressed will play two reeds. Professional harmoniums feature a third set of reeds, either tuned an octave higher or in unison to the middle reed. This overall makes the sound fuller. In addition, many harmoniums feature an octave coupler, a mechanical linkage that opens a valve for a note an octave above or below the note being played, and a scale changing mechanism, which allows one to play in various keys while fingering the keys of one scale.

Harmoniums are made with 1, 2, 3 and occasionally 4 sets of reeds. Classical instrumentalists usually use 1-reed harmoniums, while a musician who plays for a qawaali (Islamic devotional singing) usually uses a 3-reed harmonium. Qawwali ( Urdu / Persian: قوٌالی; Punjabi / Multani: ਖ਼ਵ੍ਵਾਲੀ قوٌالی Brajbhasha / Hindi

The harmonium in India

Man playing a harmonium. He is pumping the bellows of the harmonium with one hand and playing the keys with the other.

During the mid-19th century missionaries brought French-made hand-pumped harmoniums to India. A missionary is a member of a Religion who works to convert those who do not share the missionary's faith someone who proselytizes. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The instrument quickly became popular there: it was portable, reliable and easy to learn. Its popularity has stayed intact to the present day, and the harmonium remains an important instrument in many genres of Indian music. The music of India' includes multiple varieties of folk, popular, pop, and classical music. It is commonly found in Indian homes. Though derived from the designs developed in France, the harmonium was developed further in India in unique ways, such as the addition of drone stops and a scale changing mechanism.

In Kolkata, Dwarkanath Ghose of the renowned Dwarkin was adept in modifying musical instruments as per individual needs of users and is particularly remembered for modifying the imported harmony flute and producing the hand held harmonium, which has subsequently become an integral part of the Indian music scenario. Dwarkin (formally known as Dwarkin & Sons but popular as Dwarkin founded in 1875 was a pioneering Indian enterprise for the sale of Western and Indian musical instruments ^[1] Dwijendranath Tagore is credited with having used the imported instrument in 1860 in his private theatre, but it was probably a pedalled instrument which was cumbersome, or it was possibly some variation of the reed organ. See Tagore for disambiguation Dwijendranath Tagore (দ্বিজেন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর ( 11 March 1840 &ndash Initially, it aroused curiosity but gradually people started playing it^[2] and Ghose took the initiative to modify it. ^[1] It was in response to the Indian needs that the hand-held harmonium was introduced. All Indian musical instruments are played with the musician sitting on the floor or on a stage, behind the instrument or holding it in his hands. In that era, Indian homes did not use tables and chairs. ^[1]

The harmonium is essentially an alien instrument to the Indian tradition, as it cannot mimic the voice, which is considered the basis of all Indian music. Meend (glissando), an integral part of any classical recitation is not possible on the harmonium, and as such, one cannot faithfully reproduce the subtle nuances of a raga on this instrument. In Hindustani music meend refers to the bending or deflecting of pitches " Glissando " (plural glissandi abbreviated gliss is a glide from one pitch to another The harmonium is thus despised by many connoisseurs of Indian music, who prefer the more authentic yet more technical sarangi, in accompanying khyal singing. The Sarangi ( Hindi Khyal (or Khayal: Hindi: ख़्याल Urdu: خیال is the modern genre of classical singing in North India.

A popular usage is by followers of various Hindu and Sikh faiths, who use it in the devotional singing of prayers, called bhajan or kirtan. A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical Sikh (English or; ਸਿੱਖ sikkh, IPA) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. A Bhajan is a type of Hindu Devotional Song, often simple lyrical and expressing love for the Divine. Kirtan ( Sanskrit - "to repeat" is call-and-response chanting performed in India's devotional traditions There will be at least one harmonium in any mandir (Hindu temple) or gurdwara (Sikh temple) around the world. A Hindu temple or Mandir ( Sanskrit: मंदिर is a house of worship for Hindus followers of Hinduism. The harmonium is also commonly accompanied by the tabla as well as a dholak. This article is about the Indian drum For the drum with the same name in Arabic, see Goblet drum. The Dholak ( Devnagari: ढोलक sometimes dholaki or in Suriname & Holland dhool) is a classical North Indian Pakistani To Sikhs the harmonium is known as the vaja/baja. It is also referred to as a "Peti" ( A loose reference to a "Box") in some parts of North India and Maharashtra. Maharashtra ( Marathi: mahārāṣṭra, IPA) is a state located on the western coast of India.

It also forms an integral part of the Qawwali repertoire, as many Qawwals use a harmonium when performing Qawwalis. Qawwali ( Urdu / Persian: قوٌالی; Punjabi / Multani: ਖ਼ਵ੍ਵਾਲੀ قوٌالی Brajbhasha / Hindi It has received international fame as the genre of Qawwali music has been popularized by renowned Pakistani musicians such as Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Aziz Mian. Pakistan () officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, is a country located in South Asia, Southwest Asia, Middle East and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ( نصرت فتح على خاں, born October 13 1948, died August 16, 1997) was a Pakistani Aziz Mian Qawwal ( عزیز میاں قوال) ( April 17, 1942 – December 6, 2000) was one of Pakistan 's most famous

The harmonium is also used in Middle Eastern music in certain parts of the Middle East. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East. The Middle East is a Subcontinent with no clear boundaries often used as a synonym to Near East, in opposition to Far East.

There is some discussion of Indian harmonium-makers producing reproductions of Western-style reed organs for the export trade.

Samvadini

Samvadini - a modified version of harmonium to perform solo on the instrument.

In Indian music, the harmonium is considered to be one of the least versatile instruments. It is usually used as an accompanying instrument for vocalists. However, some musicians have begun playing the harmonium as a solo instrument. Pandit Bhishmadev Vedi, Pandit Muneshwar Dayal, Pandit Montu Banerjee, and Pamabhusan JnanPrakash Ghosh were among those personalities who popularized the harmonium for solo performance. Later Pt. Manohar Chimote [2] gave a completely new dimension to the harmonium as instrument and unique style of playing solo on the instrument. He added the "Swarmandel" (Harp) on top of the reed board and made some significant changes into the tuning of Harmonium. With all the modification, he renamed the traditional harmonium to "Samvadini". With this beautiful and appropriate name, Samvadini is making its mark in the field of Music. Students of Pt. Manohar Chimote likePt.Rajendra Vaishampayan,Pt.Jitendra Gore of Mumbai, India are making their mark in the musical horizon. Pandit Tulsidas Borkar of Mumbai, Pandit Appa Jalgaonkar, Shri Purushottam Walavalkar, Pt. Mumbai ( Marathi:,, IPA: formerly Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial Rambhau Bijapure of Belgaum, and Pt. Datta Jogdande of Mumbai have created their own names in the field of harmonium playing. Mumbai ( Marathi:,, IPA: formerly Bombay, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the financial More recently, Dr. Arawind Thatte from Pune has sought to create a separate identity for the harmonium as a solo instrument. Pune (ˈpuːneɪ Marathi: पुणे Hindi: पूना formerly Poona, is the second largest city in the state of Maharashtra More and more music students are learning in this fashion.

[3]

Repertoire

Classical

• 24 Pièces en style libre for organ or harmonium, op. 31 (1913) by Louis Vierne.

• Antonin Dvorak's Five Bagatelles for 2 violins, Cello and harmonium Op. 47(b79)

• The final collection of pieces by César Franck popularly known as L'Organiste (1889-1890) was actually written for harmonium, some pieces with piano accompaniment. César Franck (December 10 1822 – November 8 1890 a Composer, Organist and music teacher of Belgian and German origin who lived in France The following is a list of compositions by César Franck. Works for organ and harmonium Andantino in G minor (1857 Trois Antiennes

• Petite Messe Solonelle by Rossini is scored for two pianos and harmonium.

• Ages Ago, an early work by W. S. Gilbert with Frederic Clay features a harmonium part. Ages Ago is a musical entertaiment with a libretto by W S Gilbert and music by Frederic Clay that premiered on 22 November 1869 Sir William Schwenck Gilbert (18 November 1836 &ndash 29 May 1911 was an English Dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his fourteen Frederic Emes Clay (3 August 1838&ndash24 November 1889 was an English composer known principally for his music written for the stage

• An arrangement of Anton Bruckner's Symphony no. 7 for chamber ensemble, prepared in 1921 by students and associates of Arnold Schoenberg for the Viennese Society for Private Musical Performances, was scored for 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, clarinet, horn, piano 4-hands, and Harmonium. Anton Bruckner 's Symphony No 7 in E major is one of his best known symphonies Arnold Schoenberg ( pronounced ˈʃøːnbɛrk (13 September 1874 &ndash 13 July 1951 was an Austrian and later American Composer, associated with The Society for Private Musical Performances (in German the Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen) was an organisation founded in Vienna in the The violin is a bowed String instrument with four strings usually tuned in Perfect fifths It is the smallest and highest-pitched member The viola is a bowed String instrument. It is the middle voice of the Violin family, The violoncello (abbreviated to cello, or 'cello, plural cellos or celli —the c is tʃ The double bass is the largest and lowest-pitched bowed String instrument used in the modern symphony orchestra. The clarinet is a Musical instrument in the Woodwind family The name derives from adding the suffix -et meaning little to the Italian word The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers The Society folded before the arrangement could be performed, and it was not premiered until more than 60 years later.

• Hin und zurück (There and Back), an operatic sketch by Paul Hindemith, uses a harmonium for its stage music. Paul Hindemith (16 November 1895 &ndash 28 December 1963 was a German Composer, Violist, violinist teacher music theorist and conductor.

• The album Early Music by Kronos Quartet has several songs featuring harmonium. Kronos Quartet is a String quartet founded by Violinist David Harrington in 1973
• Sospiri, Adagio for String Orchestra, op. 70 - Edward Elgar (scored for Harp or Piano and Harmonium or Organ)

• Dances from a New England Album, 1856 for orchestra by William Bergsma includes parts for melodeon (movements I-III) and harmonium (movement IV). An orchestra is an instrumental ensemble, usually fairly large with string brass woodwind sections and possibly a percussion section as well William Laurence Bergsma ( April 1, 1921 &ndash March 18, 1994) was an American composer

• Songs of Innocence and of Experience for orchestra, choirs, and soloists, by William Bolcom, includes parts for melodeon, harmonica, and harmonium. William Elden Bolcom (born May 26 1938 is an American Composer and pianist. A harmonica is a free reed Wind instrument which is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes (reed chambers or

Ambient

• Christopher Orczy from New Zealand uses a Mustel harmonium for all his works from 2004 to present. From August 2004 to July 2005, he recorded the Harmonium Diaries series. The series consists of 12 albums, one for each month, of solo harmonium recordings. The harmonium was subtley treated with eq and reverb. In 2006, he recorded Transition, where the harmonium was processed to a greater extent. In 2008 he finished his first religious work, "Annunciation".

Popular

• Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan,The younger brother of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was an accomplished harmonium player. Farrukh Fateh Ali Khan (فاروﻕ فتح علی خان was a member of a well-known family of Qawwali musicians Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan ( نصرت فتح على خاں, born October 13 1948, died August 16, 1997) was a Pakistani His ability to play in all scales and skill in switching tunes at a moment's notice are considered amongst the best in his profession. While accompanying Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to England, he became widely known as Harmonium Raj Sahib (King of the Harmonium). His talents and accomplishments often went unrecognized due to playing in the shadow of his elder brother.

• Aphex Twin's experimental Drukqs (2001) record appears to feature a harmonium in the track Penty Harmonium though it is unclear whether the instrument actually playing is real, sampled or programmed. drukqs (sometimes spelled drukQs) is a 2001 Double album by Richard D

• Current 93's Sleep Has His House (2000) features a harmonium for its length, a rare instrumental contribution from frontman David Tibet. Current 93 are an eclectic British Experimental music group working since the early 1980s in folk -based musical forms Sleep Has His House is an album released in 2000 by English Apocalyptic folk group Current 93. David Tibet (born David Michael Bunting, 5 March 1960 in Batu Gajah, Malaysia) is a British poet and Artist who

• Depeche Mode used a harmonium in one version of Enjoy the Silence. Depeche Mode (dəˌpɛʃˈmoʊd are an English Electronic music band formed in 1980 in Basildon, Essex. " Enjoy the Silence " is Depeche Mode 's twenty-fourth UK single released on February 5 1990, and the second single from the then upcoming

• Radiohead used a harmonium on the track Motion Picture Soundtrack from the album Kid A (2000). Radiohead Kid A is the fourth album by the English Alternative rock band Radiohead, released on in the United Kingdom and on in the United States and Canada Kid A is the fourth album by the English Alternative rock band Radiohead, released on in the United Kingdom and on in the United States and Canada

• Sufjan Stevens uses a harmonium at his live performances. Sufjan Stevens (ˈsuːfjɑːn born July 1, 1975) is an American Singer-songwriter and Musician from Petoskey Michigan

• Midway through Breakfast At Tiffany's, the score features a reprise of its theme song Moon River played on the harmonium. Breakfast at Tiffany's is a 1961 American film starring Audrey Hepburn and George Peppard, and featuring Patricia Neal, " Moon River " is a song composed by Johnny Mercer (lyrics and Henry Mancini (music in 1961 for whom it won that year's Academy Award for Best

• Most of Nico's post-Velvet Underground career is marked by a heavy usage of the harmonium, in avant-garde drone songs. Christa Päffgen ( October 16, 1938 ? &ndash July 18, 1988) was a German Singer - Songwriter, fashion model This article is about the band For their self-titled album see The Velvet Underground (album; for the book see The Velvet Underground (book

• The Zombies use a harmonium in their song "Butchers Tale (Western Front 1914)". For the Undead creature of Vodou lore see Zombie. For other meanings see Zombie (disambiguation.

• Lawrence Gowan of Styx plays a harmonium during the band's acoustic sets. Lawrence Gowan (born November 22, 1956) is a Canadian musician Styx ( pronounced: /stɪks/ is an American Rock band. Their hit songs have included " Come Sail Away " " Babe " "

• Brian May of Queen played a harmonium in the song Teo Torriatte (Let Us Cling Together) on Queen's album A Day at the Races. Brian Harold May, CBE Queen were an English rock band formed in 1970 in London by guitarist is a song from the 1976 Queen album A Day at the Races and is written by guitarist Brian May. A Day at the Races is a rock album by English band Queen released in December 1976

• Jeff Buckley plays a harmonium in the song "Lover, You Should've Come Over" on his album Grace. Jeffrey Scott Buckley (November 17 1966 – May 29 1997 raised as Scotty Moorhead, was an American Singer-songwriter and Guitarist He was the son Grace is the first and only complete studio album by Jeff Buckley, released on August 23, 1994 (see 1994 in music)

• Slade used the Harmonium on "Merry Xmas Everybody" and "In for a penny". Slade are an English Glam rock band Slade were one of the most recognizable acts of the glam rock movement and were at their peak the most commercially popular "Merry Xmas Everybody" is a single by the English Glam-rock band Slade.

• Julie Feeney plays harmonium on her album 13 songs.

• The Bee Gees used a harmonium on their song "Holiday". The Bee Gees were a singing trio of brothers — Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb. " Holiday " is a song by the Bee Gees. The song is considered to be eerie due to the interesting yet creepy tune and strong organ presence

• Ric Veda principally accompanies himself singing with a harmonium. [4]

• The Beatles used a harmonium extensively in their recordings, including "Strawberry Fields Forever", "We Can Work It Out", "Cry Baby Cry", "Sexy Sadie", "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite", and "The Word". The Beatles were a pop and rock band from Liverpool, England formed in 1960 " Strawberry Fields Forever " is a song by the English rock band The Beatles. " We Can Work It Out " is a song written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney and released by The Beatles as a " Double A-sided " Cry Baby Cry " is a song by The Beatles from their self titled album, more commonly known as The White Album. " Being for the Benefit of Mr Kite! " (also known as " Being for the Benefit of Mr " The Word " is a song by The Beatles first released on their 1965 album Rubber Soul.

• Paul McCartney, for instance on "This One" from Flowers In The Dirt. Sir James Paul McCartney, MBE (born 18 June 1942 is an English rock Singer, Bass guitarist songwriter Composer, Flowers in the Dirt is Paul McCartney 's comeback album released in 1989

• The Penguin Cafe Orchestra's Music for a Found Harmonium (not surprisingly) features a harmonium. The Penguin Cafe Orchestra was a loose assembly of musicians headed by classically-trained guitarist composer and arranger Simon Jeffes ( Crawley, Sussex They used the instrument on several other tracks as well, including "Cutting Branches For a Temporary Shelter".

• Focus has a part for the Harmonium in their song "Hocus Pocus"

• The movie Punch Drunk Love features a harmonium as a major plot device. Focus is a Dutch Progressive rock band It was founded by classically trained organist / Flautist " Hocus Pocus " is a 1971 song from Moving Waves, the second album by Dutch rock group Focus. Punch-Drunk Love is a 2002 American film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson starring Adam Sandler and Emily Watson

• Ed Harcourt plays a harmonium on many of his songs including "All Of Your Days Will Be Blessed" from From Every Sphere and "Something To Live For" from Strangers. Ed Harcourt (born August 14, 1977) is an English Singer-songwriter from Sussex. Strangers is the third full length studio album by British Singer-songwriter Ed Harcourt.

• Talk Talk featured a harmonium player on their final two albums, Spirit of Eden and Laughing Stock

• Ivor Cutler uses a harmonium in many of his recordings and live performances. Talk Talk were a popular British rock group that were active from 1981 to 1991 Spirit of Eden is a 1988 Album by the English band Talk Talk. Laughing Stock was Talk Talk 's fifth and final studio album Released in 1991 it was the only album the band released on the Jazz -based Verve Ivor Cutler (15 January 1923 &ndash 3 March 2006 was a Scottish Poet, Songwriter and Humorist.

• Tori Amos features harmonium on several songs in 1996's Boys For Pele. Tori Amos (born Myra Ellen Amos on August 22, 1963) is a Pianist and Singer-songwriter of dual British and American Boys for Pele is the third studio album by American Singer and Song-writer Tori Amos. She also toured with a harmonium, in addition to a piano and harpsichord, in support of the album.

• Cornershop features harmonium on tracks such as "Sleep on the Left Side". Cornershop are a British indie band formed in Leicester in 1992 by Wolverhampton -born Tjinder Singh (singer songwriter and Dholaki

• Xiu Xiu features harmonium on many of their albums, as well as in the live setting; most notably featured in the songs "Dr. Xiu Xiu (ʃuː ʃuː shoe-shoe) is an experimental indie band originally from and currently based in Oakland California, with time often Troll", "Nieces Pieces", and "Rose of Sharon".

• Drekka uses a Pakistani lap harmonium on many recordings since 2000, and as a staple in live sets including the 9hour MEDIUM drone performed in Chicago, IL in 2000, set up by Odum6.

• Diane Cluck has used the harmonium on her albums, Macy's Day Bird and Monarcana. Diane cluck is loosely affiliated with the Anti-folk scene centered around open mic nights at the Sidewalk Cafe in Manhattan's East Village in

• Krishna Das plays the harmonium in many of his songs. Krishna Das (born Jeffrey Kagel May 31 1947 in Long Island, New York) is a singer who performs Indian chants called Kirtans - chanting the names

• Tom Waits plays the harmonium in some of his songs, mostly on later albums (from Swordfishtrombones and later). Thomas Alan Waits (born 7 December 1949) is an American Singer-songwriter, Composer, and Actor. Swordfishtrombones is an album by American Singer-songwriter Tom Waits, released in September 1983 (see 1983 in music)

• Space Mandino plays the harmonium while throat-singing in his song "Magic Thumb"

• Br'er uses harmonium extensively on their album "of shemales and kissaboos", specifically on "Maven" and "Emily the Bear". “Space” Mandino is an American singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois, known for his Overtone singing, five-string Banjo and Harmonium

• Peter Hayes plays the harmonium while throat-singing in his song "Open Invitation"

• Roger Hodgson used the harmonium as the inspiration for many Supertramp songs. For other people with the same name see Peter Hayes (disambiguation Peter Hayes (born February 11, 1976 in New Charles Roger Pomfret Hodgson, born 21 March 1950, in Portsmouth, Hampshire, England is a British Vocalist See also Supertramp (ecology and Alexander Supertramp Supertramp were a British Progressive rock band He bought a harmonium for £26 years ago and wrote Logical Song, Two of Us, and many others from this instrument.

• Beck used the harmonium in several live performances of the song Nobody's Fault (But My Own). Beck' s birth name was Bek see the sources given This is not a typo and should not be changed without good reason

• Vanessa Carlton 's second album is called Harmonium. Vanessa Lee Carlton (born August 16 1980 is an American Soft rock / Piano pop Singer, Songwriter, and Pianist best This doesn't have anything to do with the instrument though. Carlton explains the album title as being the result of playing with the word 'harmony'.

• Sanjay Patel (VIRA Productions) uses a variety of harmoniums as accompaniment throughout his works.

• The current Broadway Musical Spring Awakening is one of the only Broadway shows to use a harmonium in the orchestration. Spring Awakening is a Tony Award -winning rock musical with music by Duncan Sheik and book and lyrics by Steven Sater.

External links

• The Classical Harmonium
• Indian Harmonium Page
• Harmonium FAQ
• Official Website of Pt. Manohar Chimote
• Official Website of Pt. Rajendra Vaishampayan

References