Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-09-02
RAPID COMPOSITION.
PROFESSOR FANCIULlt WROTE A
MARCH IN TEN MINUTES.
In Honor of Colonel Bill Sterett-Inspi-
ration Drawn From Crackers, Cheese and
Dried Beef-The Colonel Remembers
Marches of His Boyhoods Days.

Marches of His Boyhood's Days.
"I've no objection, observed Colonel
| William Green Sterett, "to having march
| dedicated to me. Indeed l think I'd like
| it. I've had a dog named after me, and
recently poem was sawed off on me, and
this sort of honor has been drifting to
my shores lately right along. 1t pleases
me, and my impression is that should a
march be written in my name my cup of
| JOY would be full"
sit shall be done, - asseverated Professor
| Fanciuli. 'Sce, will write it now. In
ten minutes it shall be done"
The scene was one of our popular roof
gardens, and Professor Fanciulli had just
| announced his laudable determination to
| compose Il march in Colonel Sterett's men,
Dry.
at shall be finished composition in ten
| minutes, said the professor. 1T is as
easy as nothing, particularly when it is to
be dedicated TO my friend, Colonel Sterett. J"
"Iou are very polite, " returned Colonel
Sterett, "but your proposal to do this in
ten minutes alarms me. Now, I'm sensi-
tive about anything that's to go through
life with my name. wouldn't for half
my halidom have you sacrifice melody and
musical beauty to speed"
1T shall be as you say" INTERCEPTED
Professor Fanciulli ardently "You shall
select the tempo. Now, listen. l will
hum you bar from march. Tum, tum,
tie tum, tie tum! How do you like that?'
"Why, !" remarked Colonel Sterett after
listening critically, THAT seems bit friv-
olous Now, something with more of an
ice wagon movement might do, something
jolly and strong. l don't know one note
from another, but I've got an ear like an
angel, and I'd just as soon have u man
pull gun on me as to make a discord in
music. So want you to be careful and
exact in this composition.
"When l was boy in Kentucky" con-
tinued Colonel Sterett, "there were two
pieces of music which gave me profound
pleasure, and which / never forgot. One
was Smiths March,"
Il never yet heard of Smiths March, )"
remarked Professor Fanciulli mcditative-
ly
"Well, it's a masterpiece of turgid, pow
crful music" went on Colonel Stcrett.
''The other piece was one where Il captive
knight was imprisoned in tower and his
crusading companions were going through
the street which this tower was on, and he
could not make them hear his cries for aid
because they made such an uproar with
their clarions.
cat the time of which speak l was
powerfully interested in the crusaders and
was studying Moslemry with the aid of
Walter Scott. couldn't sleep nights for
my hatred of Saracens, and at the age of
-, had you asked me why chung to life, l
should have told you that 1T was for the
sole purpose Of destroying painims when
| grew up.
LAS l tell you, these studies and these
influences had great deal to do with
framing my musical taste. would sug-
gest, therefore, that, in so far as the object
Of the meeting is to please me, you make
this proposed piece of music either rcpletc
with sobs and of romantic yet tender
strain or that it be made as stornly mar
tial as possible There are only two things
for which look in music. Give me ten
der affection, as of mother for her child,
or give me war.
Yes, " replied Professor Fanciull.
Take out your watch. / shall compose it
in the ten minutes, Waiter, bring to mo
some paper until I draw the five lines 1
4 lAN'NN >A''~'NASt
cheese and dried beef"
professor, L don't want to discourage
you, said Colonel Sterett solemnly and
with feeling, but can hardly consent to
music bearing my name which is com
posed under the Inspiration OF cheese and
Jefked beef. fear the worst possible mu-
steal results from the repast you have SO
hastily ordered. Think again; can't we
name something lighter ana moro ethereal
than choese-some rcgalement more eifer-
vcScent than drled becf:
Never fear, remarked Professor Fan
clulll confidently, II compose many tunes
with such inspiration. IL IS an right Let
ou5 the paper come ana IN ten minutes 'ho
hlirch Is zone.
wen, salo Coionei Sterctt uubiously,
OF course Wouiah thlhk Oh dlrectlhS
pfolcieht musician ana an auuhor IN har-
'hohy as TO now he Silouiu COMPOSE. blit'
as newspaper man. 1 must say tnat were
l 10 oesih an articic ny any lavish con
Sunip'lon Oh ufieu Deel anu ciiGeSo my Ian
" Woulo soo paS9y at INC Knee, anu
"ouiu never NC 'ipie 70 th,o" OIL ohoSe
gems "hloh noA',s ",i's ior'
rear iiot' sa,u frolesSor raiicluiii us
tHe paper anu INC olher utlcacieS conl-