The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-11
ORCHESTRA RENT
BY WILD D|SC0RD
Leaders Missing Notes Found III
Vest Pocket of Giffen's
Scenic Artist.
KEssNICH's LOUD MlsERERE
Solo by Manager Restored Partial
Harmony and Trouble Was
Averted.
<EssNICH's LOUD MIsERERE
Solo by Manager Restored Partial

There was a crash OF discord In the
Academy Of Music yesterday morning
when Professor Joseph c. Kcssnlch,
arranging the orchestration of the
incidental music Of "rhe Heir to the
Hoorah.' discovered that some vandal
hand, welding pair OF shears, had
shipped a triangular section from the
trombone sheet.
He set up a wall that was audible
half block away.
The musical director was shocked,
then incensed. 1t is the fixed opinion
of all composers and musicians that the
person WHO mutiates music manu-
script is capable of any atrocity.
The NIIscrcre.
Professor Kessnch lifted the sheet
from the music stand and examined
it with tears in his eyes. Three bars
were missing. The musicians gaze
light In his excitement he dropped
two minor thirds, which he was about
to insert in the most sentimental part
of tender strain.
He did not stop to pick UP the thirds.
He bolted presto prestissimo for the
lobby of the theatre.
Stage Director Roberts and several
members Of the Gffen Company, just
In from Norfolk, were entering. Kess-
mich recited in a breathless staccato
the crime he had just discovered in
the orchestra pit. He demanded forte
fortissimo to know whether any of the
absence. The stage director replied
with a solo. expressing indignation and
resentment at the insinuation.
u,l,.i.or ~
At this critical juncture came along
the jantor. who pped that he had seen
Frederick Rickemann and Joseph Hart,
the Giffen scenic artists, in the orchcs-
ira pit earlier in the morning.
What Professor Kessnich said when
he received this information can be
neither sung nor played It is not
music
His next measure was to harmonize
Actor George Howell with his own vi
brations Of wrath. That was easy
Howell Is an amateur musician Of some
ability. His sympathy was quickly
won. Together they appeared before
Giffen at the Jefferson Hotel.
Kessnich singing the principal aria and
Howell furnishing an obligato.
So convincing was the recital that
Mr.. Giffen decided to investigate. He
summoned Rickemann and Hart by
telephone. calling upon them to show
cause why they should not be Canned"
for introducing inharmonic chords in
Kessnch's lifes melody.
The Grand Sextet.
Rickemann and Hart responded. Hart
began with recitative, explaining that
the mutilation of the trombone sheet
was purely accidental. He warbled
with much feeling and dramatic force
that he was cutting out cherub from
square of cardboard when it hap
pened. He had laid the cardboard on
the music stand for a moment. When
he picked it up and resumed work
with the shears the sheet of music was
sticking fast to the cardboard. Before
he realized it he had shipped out the
triangular section. Terror-stricken, he
thrust the fragment Of the music sheet
into his vest pocket. He still had 1t,
and was prepared to restore 1t.
The explanation and recovery of the
lost notes did not pacify the musical
director. He walled a loud miserere.
Solos duets. trios, quartets and sex
tets by Kessnich, Howell, Giffen. the
janitor and the scenic artists followed,
ending in grand finale of argument,
executed con amore by the entire as
semblage, tutti.
A Note in G.
Then Giffen, annoyed and impatient,
handed down coda. He ruled that the
mutilation of the sheet was an acct
dent, pure and simple. The affair was
minor incident at most, Giffen de-
cided.
If any one was at fault, the major
part of the responsibility should fall
on the musical director, for it was
his business to keep his eye on his
music. The last chord almost broke
the professors heart.
Mr.. Giffen fled to his apartments
after delivering himself of the coda.
Then there was an exeunt omnes from
the hotel, the scenic artists and the
musical director glowering savagely.
For a shor. time trouble was feared.
An hour later a messenger boy
brought note from Hart to Kess
Mich. It was concilatory and apollo
getic note. The musical director sent
this reply:
"All is satisfactory. Let's be friends.
was all at G when l discovered
what l thought an act of vandalism.
understand now. Life is full of dis
cords. Chromaticany yours,
"JOE KESSNICH."