Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-26

On Monday evening a company of musicians
under this title gave a very unique, and we
will add, very agreeable concert at the Victoria
rooms. The artists, nine in number from
what is termed in the bills "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 imi.
tate is interesting, not only as displaying the
capabilities of the human voice, but also as
showing what seemingly insurmountable OBJ
stacles, skill, and perseverance may overcome
The organophonic musicians do not confne
their limitations to any particular class of in
struments brass and read, wind, string and
percussion, fall equally within their scope
One man screws his mouth up to sort Of
whistling form, and straightway he emits the
rich mellow tones Of the clarinet, second pro-
duces those of the cornet third becomes q
sort of biped opheiclide or trombone, fourth
initiates the crisp rattle of the tamboW mill
taire, while a 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 turbaned Ethiop gathering
the brazen rounds after approved oriental fash
AOus w HUI Rioyiuk III COmuiudtlOfi, tuc SluRtfS
produce much of the effect of small military
band, but at intervals of the concert couple
of the most skilled of them venture to appear
as soloists, and more marvellous still, one OF
them actually plays by himself "concertante
dnett," on the clarinet and corneta-piston. 4.
Among the most noticeable points of Mon
days concert was the huntsmans chorus from
"Der Freischutz, in which one Of the artists,
Mr.. Thurton, astonished the company even be.
yond his imitation of The cymbals, producing
by the power of his voice alone striking re.
semblance to that small and delicate instrument
the musical-box. A solo by another Of the ar
fists on the clarinet, with obligato (also self
played) on the tenor sax-horn, was exceed
ingly clever and very pleasing, while dramat-
ically illustrated rendering of the famous hun
ting song of Old fowler excited the audience
to q pitch Of enthusiasm. The arrangement
of this ballad reflects great credit on the con-
ductor, Mr.. Hoffman. The words are sung
by one of the yocalists, while the others play
during part of the song an accompaniment on
their initiative instruments. AT the proper
point the characteristic notes of the hunter
horn are heard, and then the whole body bursts
forth with the exciting cry Hark forward !
bark forward tantivyi" Following this is
heard, closely initiated, the music of the hounds
in full cry, so 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 q prince of ventriloquists, intro
duced polyphonic entertainment, which was
very amusing. He kept up a ceaseless con-
versation between number of imaginary per-
sons, some Of whom, and we may particularly
instance little Miss Gobble, he bit off with re-
markable truthfulness and effect. The per-
petual snappings of pet parlor dog, the
deeper sounds Of a yard mastiff, the distant
bleatings Of a flock of sheep, and even the
soothing hum Of "the little busy bee" were i'm
itated with astonishing fidelity, and helped to
realize domestic scene" Of amusing interest.
The organophonic band gave other entertain
ments on Tuesday, and we are pleased to find
that they purpose appearing again next week,
when we recommend such as desire to spend
couple of hours agreeably, to pay them visit.
i English BRISTOL Mercury.