Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-02-12
BEATING THE PIANO RECORDS.

oeAlIN1 iUG FlNfNO neSON0Ss
Early In 1857 an English soldier was
reported to have played the pianoforte
at Calcutta for twenty-three hours con-
secutiveiy. We do not know the name
OF that soldier, and we cannot for the
life of US conceive what his commanding
officer can have been about. But the
fact remains that the recital of his piano
fortitude so moved Mr.. Napoleon Bird
while he WAS In BARRIERS shop 10 Stock
port, in the spring of 1887, that In reply
TO a customer Who asked him what ne
thought OF 1t, he then and there declared
his readiness 10 surpass the military
mans efforts without ever resting either
hand. A bet Of f10 was promptly laid
against him, but MIR. Bird won II on
June and s, 1887, by playing twenty
i've hours with both hands continuously.
This, however. by no means satisfied his
soaring ambition, and on October q and
-, Ia the same year, he Increased his
record TO thirty-six and quarter hours,
and was presented with massive gold
watch-chain pendant, bearing the In
scription 10 the effect that the gift came
from the public of Stockport" In recog-
milton of his feat. For seven years Mr..
Napoleon Bird was allowed TO remain in
unaispuied possession OF the long-dis-
lance championship OF the worries. But
within the last couple OF months de-
termined effort to wrest the supremacy
from England wss made by German
athlete named Berg, yclept "the iron
pianist"
The credit OF England was at stake,
but Mr.. Bird was equal 10 the occasion,
and a, the end Of November he entered
once more the pianisiic arena. The
scene Of this pyramidal achievement was
The Stockport Armory. and we are as
surei by the Manchester Courier that II
created interest in musical circles, be-
sides exciting the ''close attention OF the
sporting fraternity" Mr.. Bird cane. aud
played aud conquered. For forty con-
secutiye hours the danntless performer
kept up an uninterrupted now OF
melody with both hands. Herr Berg ;
repertory. IL we mistake not. only com
prised 100 pieces; but Mr.. Bird played
cover 900 scleciiOns-oyertures, oPer-
attic pieces, descriptive works, songs and
dances" Furthermore. every thing WAS
PLAYED without notes, not single sheet
of music being allowed in the bond.
Blu, Mr.. Bird was happily guarded
against the depressing influences oil
monotony by the organizers OF the en-
tertainment. There we're concerts every
evening 10 Increase the variety, and,
without breaking the continuity OF the
performance. Mr.. Bird acted "a accom-
PIANIST To the singers fright away on
being told what the songs were and the
KEYS In which they were 10 BE- played.
Ga ore night, a. he pithe,icaiiy put II,
1--WE or rather they" had dance from
IlP.M. TO 3 IAN. His repertory oil
dance music was by no means exhausted
by those four hours, but the dancing
license came 10 an end At that time ana
Mr.. Bird had 10 continue his task wlth-
out the accompaniment OF "tNinkltng
feet. still he was never alone. He had
two doctors. who exchanged duties
while he had a professional nurse, who
never left me-" Well may the poet sing {:
q woman. in our hours Of ease
Uncertain COY and hard - please,
when pAin ami anguish wiring the brow,
ministsrtng angel thou
For the professional nurse was charg-
ed with the duty Of miuisiering To the
wants Of Mr.. Bird according 10 diet
which hid been carefully prescribed,
aud which included roast fowl, dry
bread, brandy and sods, lemonade and
iced water, and, after shirty-two hours
play, dozen oysters" lie was never
hidden from the view Of the public, who
had thus the extra felicity OF seeing him
take his food while he played. aud by
means OF mirror placed In front of
him he was afforded visible proof OF the
uniiring interest and aiicc,iouate solici-
tuGe of the public. In particular he
tells of one party Of ladies whom he sa~
sitting there for seven hours ri least.
-Iondon Musical Times.