Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-01-17
Ancient Instruments Of
Quaint Design.
Interesting Collection Of Frank
4. Dennis, Augusta.
0phicIeide, Ivory Clarinet, DuIci'
mer Bassoon and FugeIhorn.

Frank a. Dennis, OF TINS city, the
leader Of the orchestra that bears his
name, also Of the local band, has very
interesting collection of antique in
struments in his store on Water street.
The different instruments are all ar
ranged in a glass case, where they are
easily viewed by the customers, pupils
and others who visit the Dennis music
store.
Probably the most rare and at the
same time most interesting instrument
in the collection is an instrument
made of brass that is member of the
serpent" family of brass instruments.
1t is technically known as an
"ophicleide" The instrument is Of
fantastic shape and it is entirely prob
able that hardly musician of the
present day would be able to identify
the horn. The quality of the tone that
this instrument gives forth is not un-
pleasant, but it does not combine well
with the other instruments of the
| orchestra. Many of the celebrated
composers wrote music in which this
instrument had a part. The old scores
of Mozart, Beethoven and Hayden
show that the ophicleide was one Of
the instruments that had quite an i'm
portant place in orchestral m'Isi: of
| the 18th Century
The particular instrument in QueS-
ton came from an old junk sEop III
Gardiner in a badly battered state, but
| Mr.. Dennis had it repaired and it now
| looks almost as good as new. Mr..
Dennis has had several good offers for
| the horn. but he says that it is not for
sale. AS nearly every visitor
customer that enters the store as!-s
questions about this peculiar instru-
ment Mr. Dennis has lette"ed a cal
with the following inscription and
| placed it in a conspicuous position, 50
| that all may read
This instrument is a Gb minor
| "Sinkus Spotus." sometimes called the
sacbut and was invented about the
| time Julius Caesar invaded ;sLul. 1t
| was played upon at the burning of
Rome in Nero's orchestra. 1t plays by
| blowing in the small end. It's compass
is Is octaves and it is very melodicuS.
| 1t is not for sale"
| After reading the above the inquirer
after musical knowledge usually
leaves the place without asking more
| questions.
Another instrument in the collection
, is a French horn, without valves
| played with one hand in the bell OF
the. instrument to make The changes
| for the different notes in its compass.
| 1t is q sweet toned instrument, very
| similar to the French horns now used
but there Is no music written for this
style of horn at the present day. II
required years Of practice to become
proficient with this style of instru-
ment and good French horn players
that played the valvless instrument
were not exceedingly plenty.
Another curiosity that Mr.. Dennis
has acquired in the line of an instru-
ment is a 'fugle horn,' an instrument
that has been played in foreign ban.I:
for many years but one that is seldom
used in this country. 1t is fitted with
cylinder valves and is pitched in the
key of c, concert pitch. The tone is
about half way between a cornet and
an alto and is quite pleasing.
The dulcmer. the forerunner Of the
piano. is an instrument made some
thing like large either. but with
much larger strings, made of wire. II
is played upon with hammers, some
thing like the little hammers seen in
the piano Of today. The dulcimer that
Mr. Dennis has in his collection is a
very old instrument, purchased ~
his great great grandfather for a
favoritc daughter. Notwithstanding
it's great antiquity it is in a very fair
state Of preservation. although some
of the strings are missing and Mr..
Dennis states that he has been unable
to procure any for the instrument in
any of the music houses of the
country.
An ivory clarinet is another feature
of the collection. 1t was owned and