On 19 April, the Collégiale (11th century) in St-Imier (canton of Bern) hosted a unique concert featuring more than 15 ‘serpents’.

The serpent (nomen est omen) was invented in France in the 16th century. It was used to accompany Gregorian chants and other church hymns. The highlight of the concert was the duet between the serpent and the saxophone.

The serpent is made from hardwood, usually walnut, and crafted in two halves. The halves are then glued together and covered with a thin, parchment-like layer of leather.

Finally, the instrument is finished with a special varnish. Originally, the serpent had six holes. Over time, more were added; some of these were operated by keys.

Because the upper section containing the mouthpiece is made of metal, the serpent belongs to the brass family, although the majority of the instrument is made of wood.

After the French Revolution, playing the serpent was revived. However, the instrument was increasingly used in military music. By the 19th century, the serpent was losing its significance. The ophicleide, a brass instrument made entirely of metal and also featuring several bends, supplanted the serpent—probably also because it sounds louder.

Michel Godard

The serpent had fallen into obscurity until, in the 1970s, the French musician Michel Godard rediscovered this elegantly crafted instrument with its warm tone.

Michel Godard studied classical trumpet, then found his way into jazz through playing the tuba, and is now regarded as the world’s finest serpent player.

Stephan Berger, originally from Läufelfingen, completed an apprenticeship as an agricultural machinery mechanic. Later, he learnt leatherworking and set up his own workshop. There, among other things, he invented a special lead for guide dogs. This invention proved a great success.

When Stephan attended a jazz concert by Michel Godard and his band in 2005, he was completely captivated by the instrument’s warm, deep sound.

Stephan, a born tinkerer and highly talented craftsman, built the serpent from scratch. To this day, he makes this instrument for musicians worldwide and plays it himself with passion.

And from the Collégiale