While most people have never heard of the Heckelphone, Grossman has been fascinated by the instrument since visiting the Heckel factory in the 1950s. He finally got his chance to own a Heckelphone last year, when he saw one for sale on eBay, the Web auction site. He immediately decided to bid on it and gave himself a limit above which he would not go. But of course I went beyond the limit because I got so excited by the idea of having a Heckelphone, says Grossman. Mastering his new instrument has been a challenge.
Heckelphones are custom made, so no two fingering systems are exactly the same.
There s no real accepted sound that you re supposed to get, Grossman says. Every one sounds a little different. But nobody knows what is an authentic Heckelphone sound. Those who missed Grossman s Heckelphone performance in January will have several opportunities to hear the instrument this spring. Grossman is scheduled to play his Heckelphone at concerts with the Seattle Youth Symphony and the Seattle Symphony.