Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-02-03
Facts in Musical History,

The London Musical World gives
the following interesting paragraphs of
musical history:
the sixteenth century, in his works on
music, used the word Concerto for the
first time.
Boyer, German, invented at Paris a
new kind Of piano forte, with glass in
stead of strings. Franklin called it the
Glass Chore" It was publicly ex-
hibited at Paris in 1885.
John Christian Bach, called Bach of
Milan, and afterwards Bach of London,
was the first composer who made use Of
clarlOnets IN our opera orchestra, being
introduced in his first opera in Eng
land, "Orione, in1 1853, when he was en-
gagged by Mattel to compose for the
opera in London, at which time he ar
rived IN this country, and remained
almost constantly till his death, which
took place in the year 1882.
John Sebastian Bach's father, john
Ambrosius, had twin brother. John
Christopher, who was SO very like him
that even their own wives could not dis
tlnguish them, except by their dress.
These twins were, perhaps in this re-
spect, the most remarkable ever known.
They tenderly loved each other, and
their voice, disposition and style of
music were alike. If one was i'll, the
other was likewise; they died also with
in short time of each other. They
were, indeed, a subject of establishment
to all who knew them.
John Bannister, leader of King
Charless band of twenty four violinists,
was the first English violinist of any
note. He was the first musician who es-
tablished lucrative concerts in London.
These concerts were advertised in the
London Gazette of the time, and in No.
TAP, December Both, 1872, there is the
following advertisement: "These are to
give notice that at Mr. j Ohm Bannister's
house, now called the Music School,
over against the George Taverne, in
White Friars, this present Monday, will
be musick performed by excellent mas
tiers, beginning precisely at four Of the
clock IN the afternoon, and every after
noon in the future precisely at the same
hour"
Ardalus, according to Pausanius, was
the inventor of the flute, and of flute
accompaniment to the voice.
Arichondas, musician of ancient
Greece, is said to have invented the
trumpet.
Bernhard, German organist in the
year 147O, invented pedals for the organ
at Venice.
Francisco Beverini, supposed to be
the first dramatic composer, lived at
Rome about the year 1880.
Salvatore Appollini, born at Venice
toward the close Of the eighteenth cen
fury, was, at an early period of life,
nothing more than barber and bad
fiddler He afterwards became cele-
brated for the composition of ''Barca-
roles. +"
Aristoxenus, of Torentum, philo-
sopher and musician who lived about
$50 years before Christ, is said to have
monte Elements There are only now
extant three volumes, which is the old
est work at present known.
D'Avaux, an amateur vlolln1st at
Paris, was the original inventor of the
the metronome. He wrote, IN 1874,
letter on a newly-invented pendulum to
measure time and muslc-whlch takes
away the originality from the metro
nome of Maelzel.
Antigenidas, of Thebes, one of the
most renowned musicians of antiquity,
was appointed flute master of Alcibia-
des. Aulus Gellius relates that Alcibia-
des, happening to see himself in a mir
ror while he was playing, was so shock
ed at the distortion of his countenance,
that he broke his flute IN transport of
rage, and threw it away. Antigenidas,
Notwithstanding the heightof hisreputa-
ton, regarded public favora precarious
possession, and was never elated by the
acclamations of the multitude; and, SO
fully was he persuaded of the coarse
taste of the common people, that one
day, hearing at distance q violent
burst of applause bestowed upon flute
player, he said; There must be
something very bad in that mans per-
Torrance, or those people would not be
so lavish of their appreciation. P"