The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-10-16

land that welcomed her. The musical festi-
val, which formed an important part of the
ceremonies, was under the direction of Herr
Wie( recht, the king of German band
masters, and he laid bimself out to accom-
irish the achievement Of his life. No less
than 700 performers played under his
leadership, and the effect of the runs, of
which there were 100, was most imposing,
the drummers being trained with exquisite
precision. The sound of these drums
seemed to "rend the sky with
Its harmonious and majestic roll
ing. An Englishman who hap
pened to be present remarked that the only
satisfaction one of his nationality could ex-
perieuoe while listening to this superb band
and fndingi 1t imDosslble to avoid feeling the
contrast between it and those belonging to
the English army was in the failure these
German musicians made when they essayed
the playing of Rule BRITANNIA The
blood of this admiring and critical Briton
was strangely stirred, however, by the rem
dering of q certain quiokstep march. the
like OF which for perfection OF time,
rhythm and exaltatioG he had never before
listened to. Afterwards, at SRiZburg. he
was lucky enough to hear the band of a
Baden regiment play u selection of airs
from Mozart's operas. and was obliged to
confess that The masters music could not
be interpreted Ill such a way in England.
The bands of the French army were once
little more shan drum corps. though it Is
admitted that French drummers we're art
lists of uncommon ability. They had. in
fact, the reputation of timing their instru,
ments to the measured tramp, tramp of the
soldiers ia & style no other nation could
equal. In the course of years the bands OF
the French army were vastly altered for the
better. partly through the influence Of ma
tionai pride. and la gely through agitation.
the influence of NJ. Perrin achieved great
resulta. He was probably the father Of the
modern French military band. According
TO his ideas a competent ~bandmaster should
be absolutely qualified to play every instru.
ment used n the band, and also possess an
elaborate musical education III regard tC
composition and theory. For a prop
erly equipped infantry band NJ. Per
lin insisted upon a total of forty per.
formers. classified as follows: Five first
class musicians, eight second class, ten third
aud fifteen fourth class, besides the band
master and his assistant. Many wers the
grievances under which this French army
bandrnaster used to labor. Not the least oil
these was the persistent refusal of the gov
eminent to make his uuIform attractive,
and he complained that where a mere fight,
ing private waa adorned with silver and
gold and lace, he, the nah who made the
music and gIurTed on the troops TO glorious
victory, was deemed worthy of nothing bet
ter than a dingy coat with red worsteC
stripes. The pay was wretched, ami aftel
twenty-five years service the b~aEdmasteI
could claim only j prlyate's pension. Thert
was no prospect Of fame. A private NIGH.
carry Il ma snai'B baton in his knapsgcl
aud dream by the biyouac fIe of houors auc
promotion, but the only baton tia,
poor bandmasler could ever hope &
WELD Was tha ingIor Gus one Will
which he Emote the air above the heads o
his tunefui subordinates. HiB baton, in,
deed, WAS but Il badge OF SO yltude. So al
he could do was TO Rrowl and take seryie
at the theaters when he found himself il
cities, and IL was oiumon enough for hIu
TO Yacata his position and re-enlIst as n com
batnut. Dalng tie administration Q
Soult as war minister u Commission va
appointed to inquire into tine band ques
tlGn, which pfounced tbs bHrfen result c
the musicians beng fornlshsI with ''woode
cases 10 their instruments, It metTGuofn
and IL universal b fat" Soult didn't car
Tor music. and tho musicians felt insulte
at the SOD he offered them. So hau at or
tins Was all muse in the French army til,
MeyerbseT remarked when the Gymnuse o
the Kue Blanche i'll Par!s-a school f.
army nusieIsns-was closed: where ca
French g. aInpeters now learn 30 play out {
tune2'
But Perrin bettered things vastly, en-
since 1876 the French bands have been Rb
30 bold their own with any. One eEei
fauls found with them during the seeor