The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-08-19
MELODY OF THE STREETS
0pen-Air Musicians and TrOuba-
dours Passing Away.
Gradual Departure of tho Bands,
Violin and Harp Artists That Made
of Them Were Skilled Perform-
ers and Invoked General Praise

1t appears to many particularly to the
poorer classes. to be pity that the street
musician is becoming a rara avis in Wash
ington, for amoGg these vagrant birds Of
passage were sometimes found a few in
season who could utter notes replate
with melody -nightingales among SPAR
rows, to whom one could listen with de-
light little while. ard who then fitted
mysteriously away. after picking up a few
crumbs in the shape of pennies from their
appreciatiye listeners.
But examples of this class OF public mu-
sic makers were comparatively rare. They
were generally Italians, who ELECTED
sweet tones-often with wonderful grace
taste. and precision-from harp o: violin.
most often, neck down. almost perpendicu-
lar to the ground. and the player was
sometimes extremely young. scarcely more
than child. who might, in the future,
become a great musician; at other times
an old man. broken down, perhaps once
a famous impresario in his day and ma
tive land-who could tell?
But the great. mystery to the general
public IN connection with these musical
waits and strays was, whence did they
come, and whittier did they go? How
many of them have thus come and gore,
nameless and obscure, and yet affording
so much pleasure and enjoyment to the
music lovers?
Sometimes nicknames were conferred
upon them and they becacao familiarly
Many will remember the little German
band" popularity known as the Seven
Brothers" This organization, which sud-
denly became extinct. mysteriousiy van
ished several years ago. could scarcely be
said to have exhibited a conspicuously
high standard OF musical taste or skill,
but they were unique in their endeayars
to introduce in this city the old-count1y
custom of playing at Christmas time. They
were in fact what are known in England
as Christmas Waits and, through the
frosty air of several Christmas Ewes theiI
simple strains could be heard in the streets
carrying the Imagination of many tray
eler and sojourner back to his own freside
and his native land
But there was the usual amount OF COM
plant from those who would stop every
thing beautiful and harmless and innocent.
and the municipal authorities exerted their
the Seven Brothers" came to sudden
termination.
Sometimes a voice, which was once mu-
steal, startles the ear upon still evening
and on investigation II is found to proceed
from a singer in the street whose pathetic
attempts to again attain the notes which
are gone forever form the most notable
feature OF the song. 1t IS sad to think that
such a voice can be lost so utterly, and to
-
in the singers endeayor to render a ia
miliar piece OF music with which he or she
once charmed brilliant and critical aud
fence.
Many Will recall instances OF instrument
tai performers heard occasionally upon the
streets. notably eornet players. whose ex-
ecution would do credit to a fashionable
concert.
Unfortunately. very often the necessity
for utilizing their talents in this mendi-
cant manner is brought by such musicians
upon themselves by their reckless habits
which render them incapable Of fulfilling
regular contract with a manager.
An exquisite cornst soloist was hoard
on Washington streets some years ego,
whose performances ELECTED the admira
ton OF all music lovers. but who. like the
rest of his kind, has disappeared 10 one
knows whittier
The attempt has been recently made in
New York to put a stop to the last rem
nant Of itinerant melody by preventing the
playing OF hand organs, those more or less
melodiOus but always popular standbys
Of the less proficient vagrant musician.
The failure Of this attempt on the part of
the authorities Of that city and the manner
in which great portion of press and
public rose in opposition to it, seems
to show the popular longing for some
musical enlivenment in the dull city
streets
It is true that in the hand organ the
music cannot be expected to attain a high
degree of expression, and the musicians
task is confined to merely turning the
crank of the machine.
Many residents OF this city will doubt
less remember an odd little grey-haired
man who may be said to have introduced
the fashion Of whistling in unison with
the tune performed by his companion at
the organ. He did nothing but whistle,
in which art he displayed proficiency, exc
cutting the most wonderful trills and as
tonishing the public generally. Ii he is
not dead it is because he is living on the
fortune amassed in the exercise of his art.
for appreciation was universally ACCORDED
his efforts in liberal donations of copper
and silver.