ORPHEUS 3/72 Music Box (Reuge Comp) Ave Maria, Jesu Joy of Man's FULL VIDEO
An absolute joy to listen to, this box plays two beloved versions of "Ave Maria" AND Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring. The beauty of the music is anchored by simplicity and clean lines of the wooden case. This vintage piece is amazing and has been cleaned and serviced for the next generation to enjoy. Lift the lid to reveal a world-class Orpheus 3/72 movement from the craftspeople at Sankyo (Nidec). After WWII, Sankyo automated the technology to make music boxes and became a global leader in musical movements.
Initially known for smaller 18 to 50-tooth mechanisms, that all changed with the launch of their Orpheus line. The high-end Orpheus brand is the only remaining competitor to Reuge.
If you are a "Swiss music box snob" (um, like me), you have to listen to this music box. The Orpheus mechanism is unbelievably smooth and precise. The sound is clear and sharp. Orpheus is a very worthy competitor to Reuge. The movement is impeccably clean and shiny.The mechanism winds up smoothly and the sound quality is terrific thanks to the solid, well-constructed box. It switches between the songs effortlessly and automatically.
The music starts and stops (at song end) via the front slider button. This music box plays three of the most enduring tunes from the sacred classical tradition. Gounod's Ave Maria is warm and lyrical, built around its gentle vocal line; Schubert's Ave Maria is serene and instantly recognizable, known for its prayer-like flow; and Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring brings its famous steady rhythm and hymn-like character. Together they form a calm, devotional, and beautifully balanced program that plays with clarity, warmth, and a timeless, reverent atmosphere on a 72-note movement.
The wood box is in terrific condition. The box is structurally perfect. The finish is great with only a few very tiny scratches/dings. Please see the pictures for the beauty of this piece. The musical movement is in EXCELLENT shape.It was cycled, inspected and properly lubricated for years of use. The sound is rich and beautiful -- "A+" quality. There are NO resonance issues (buzzes/squawks) that can occur in vintage boxes. Please see the video to hear this box four yourself! The box measures 8-1/4" x 4-1/2" x 2-3/4.
80% of the boxes that I find have issues that need various fixes. I do not use AI-generated (inaccurate) listings. My statements will be backed by quality pictures and a FULL video.