The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-13

tess de Genlis. in her Memoirs" tells of
great deal about Koch the German
soldier, who Is described as musician"
was in the service of Frederick the Great,
and being fond of relieving the tedium OF
sentry so, he used to practice on the
jewsharp with considerable skill. One
night Frederick. who was an amateur
musician, heard what he thought was a
distinct orchestra under his window, when
he discovered that the sounds came from
one of his privates. Surprised on learning
that such wonderful effects could be pro
duced by single man with two jews
harps he ordered the player into his
presence. He was duly presented to tae
King the following morning, and per-
formed 10 the delight and satisfaction of
his majesty, who rewarded Koch with
500. and gave him his discharge that he
might devote his time and attention 10
the advance of his talent. Koch had not
the slightest knowledge Of music, but
owed his ability 30 natural taste and In
stinct. He made quite fortune travel
ing about and performing in public and
private, and retired to Vienna, where he
lived until long past the age Of so. lie
dled about 1880. He used two harps at
once in the same manner as the peas
ants OF the Tyrol," and produced without
doubt the harmony of two notes struck at
the same moment, which was considered
oy the unsteady curious as somewhat ex-
traordinary when the limited powers o.
the instrument were remembered Herr
hoch had fine idea of theatrical effect,
for 1t was his custom to require that ali
the lights should be eXtinguished in order
that the illusion produced by his playing
might be increased.
another German, peasant and herds
man, named Eulenstein about the begin
ning or this century, devoted his attention
TO the cultivation of the Jews harp soft
ening and enrlchng the tone of this
twanging" Instrument into almost per-
feet harmony Indeed, Eulenstein ACQUIRED
musical reputation from the way he
manipulated this meager and not over
agreeable instrument. The Jews harp, us
ually despsed and ignored, possesses three
Inherent tones the bass tones of the first
octave have some resemblance to those OF
the flute and clarinet; those of the middle
and high TO the VoX humana of some or
gans; lastly, the harmonical sounds are
exactly like those of the harmonica II is
conceived that this diversity of tone
quotes the Mirror QS2O, affords already a
great variety In the execution, which is al
ways looked upon as being feeble and trih-
ing on account of the smallness of the in
strument. II was not thought possible Ia
derive much pleasure from any ATTEMPT
which could be made to conquer the diff
culties of so limited an Instrument; be-
cause, in the extent of three octaves there
were u NUMBER OF spaces Wnlch could NOT
be filed up by the talent of the player Be
sides, the most ample meditation is inn
possible Herr Eulenstein remedied the In
convenience by Joining sixteen jewsharps
which he tuned in his own special way, and
so performed his selection by changing the
harps with extreme rapidity. always keep
ing one harp in advance, so as not to inter
rupt the measure. He became SO proficient
that he was able to execute, with grace
a nd TIInninor fOrr ~
quite difficult Italian, French and German
pieces. He was induced by the Duke oil
Gordon in 1928. who was delighted with his
performances, to tour in Scotland, where
the jewsharp is still rather popular. Eu.
lenstein also visited the chief towns Of
England and drew crowds to hear his nov
ell entertainment in London. 1t is presum.
ed that he returned to his own country
about 1882. Since then the jewsharp seems
to have fallen into disrepute, and it's posi-
ton as a serious means of musical enjoy
ment is no longer admitted.