Harmonisphère d'Alfred Josset.

Diameter: 35 cm with 2 chromolithographed polar calottes and 12 gores (tr. of use, depression in the surface ca. 4 cm).

Mounted through a brass spacer on an ebonized wooden stand, overall height 53 cm.

Globe for music education invented by Alfred Josset (1851-1909), composer and founding director of the music course at the "Institution de St-Jean de-Dieu" in Paris, a school for disabled children. Josset taught a new harmonic system, the "Sphériphonie ou nouvelle esthétique musicale" which he explained in his work "Le Conservatoire de l'Avenir. Nouvelle Encyclopédie musicale" (Paris, L Grus & fils, 1889). The notes organised in tetrachords or fundamental fourths -as announced in his book- were best represented on a globe. In April 1898 Josset presented this "Harmonisphère" for the first time to the public. His system includes all tones, all harmonies, it was a true "Code musical" from which laws no beginner nor advanced music pupil could escape. Or: "There is not one chord which is not inscribed on the Harmonisphère... The sphere presents to the eye in one volume all the harmony." Josset simplified his system in another instrument: the lyre of the future or the "lyrajossaeterna".
Ref. "Le Conservatoire de l'Avenir. Nouvelle Encyclopédie musicale" (Paris, L Grus & fils, 1889).