Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-28
New Style of Vocal Music,

Some time since we mentioned the perform
ances of the Organophonic Band, how in Eng
land. The following amusing account OF one
Of their concerts we copy from the Bristol
(Eng.) Mercury =
HoFFMAN's s ORGANoPHoNIc BAND.-On Mon
day evening, company of musicians under
this title gave very unique, and, we will
add, very agreeable concert at the Victoria
rooms. The artists, nine in number, form
what is termed in the bills a human voice
orchestra; in other words, they, by means
of the vocal organ, initiate variety of instru-
ments. We are told that the perfection to
which they have reached has cost their con-
ductor large expenditure, both in time and
money, and the closeness with which they i'm
itate is interesting, not only as displaying the
capabilities Of the human voice, but also show
ing what seemingly insurmountable obstacles
skill and perseverance may overcome. The
organophonic musicians do not confne their
limitations 10 any particular class Of instru-
ments brass and.reed, wind, string and per-
cussion fall equally within their scope. One
man screws his mouth up to sort Of whistling
form, and straightway he emits the sweet
mellow tones of the clarionet, a second pro-
duces those Of the cornet, third becomes a
sort of biped opheiclide or trombone, fourth
initiates the crisp rattle Of the tanab0ur miiitair
while fifth so truthfully initiates the Jingle
of the cymbals that it is difficult for the listener
to persuade himself that he has not before him
some Ethiop Gathering the brazen rounds after
approved oriental fashion. When playing in
combination, the singers produce much Of the
effect Of small military band, at intervals Of
the concert couple Of the most skilled Of them
venture to appear as soloists, and, more mar
vellous still, one ol them actually plays by
himself '' concentrate duett " on the clarion
ct and cornet-a-piston.
Among the most noticeable points of Mon
days concert was the huntsmau's chorus from
= Der Freischutz,' in which one Of the artists.
Mr.. Thurton, astonished the company even
beyond his imitation Of the cymbals, producing
by the power of his voice alone, striking re-
semblance to that small and delicate instru-
ment, the musical-box. A solo by another Of
the artists on the B clarionet, with obligato
(also selfplayed,) on the tenor sax-horn, was
exceedingly clever and very pleasing, while
dramatically-illustrated rendering of the ia
nous hunting song Of Old fowler excited the
audience TO pitch of enthusiasm. The ar
rangement of this ballad reflects great credit
on the conductor, Mr.. Hoffman. The words
are sung bv one of the vocalsts, while the
others play during part OF the song an accom-
paniment on their initiative instruments. AT
the proper point the characteristic notes ofthe
hunters horn are heard, and then the whole
bodv bursts forth with the exciting cry, Hark
forward bark, forward tanitivy' Follow
ing this is heard, closely initiative, the music
Of the hounds in full cry, 50 that the song
realizes, as far as may be, the chase which it
describes.
Between the acts Of the concert, Mr.. Thur
ton, who is prince of ventriloquists. intro