Definition
The heckelphone is a rare, double-reed woodwind instrument similar to an oboe but with a larger range and deeper tone. It's like the oboe's beefier cousin. Unlike the more common oboe, the heckelphone has a distinctive, darker sound. Think of it as a baritone oboe. It was invented in the early 20th century by the Heckel company. The heckelphone is primarily used in orchestral and operatic works to provide a rich, low-register woodwind voice.