CLOCKS THAT PLAY HAYDN'S MUSIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 258, 1 November 1932, Page 2

CLOCKS THAT PLAY HAYDN'S MUSIC

One does not associate the august composer of the “Creation” with the tinkling frivolities of musicboxes. Yet it seems that Haydn lent his genius to the little musical clocks that adorned the boudoirs of 1 Sth-century Germany as well as to symphonies. It is extremely interesting and instructive to possess some early music written for musical-boxes, clocks and other mechanical devices widely popular in the Idth and 191/i centuries. Lil(e other great composers of this period, the great masters Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven wrote compositions expressly for such instruments. “At the Castle of Estherhaz, where Haydn spent a considerable part of his life as leader of the Prince’s band. We find also the monk, Primitivus N iemerz, in the position of librarian. This man, a very gifted musician, became a pupil and intimate friend of Haydn. As he Was also an extremely clever mechanic and a specialist in the making of musical clocks, we may reasonably assume that his intimate relations with Haydn enabled him io obtain from the master contributions for his instruments. As a matter of fact we are now able to date some 30 of such compositions. Many of these charming miniature pieces existed neither in manuscript nor in print and were consequently unknown. “At Vienna there are known to be in existence three (‘Flotenuhren flute-clocks) that play Haydn pieces. The oldest dates from 1772 and was given by Haydn himself to his friend the leader of the Imperial Court Orchestra, Florian Leopold Cassmann, at the baptism of the latter's daughter. The ‘flute-clock’ is a miniature organ with horizontal pipes, the bellows and cylinders of which are manipulated automatically. If connected with a clock, it plays its pieces at certain hours. The timbre of these small pipes is charming and delicate, the pieces are of delightful freshness and give us Very valuable hints as to the musical style and taste of the period. “The above-mentioned oldest ‘Haydnuhr’ (clock) °f 1772 plays 16 pieces by means of a single cylinder. There are dances, short andantes, allegeetlos, and quick movements somewhat like finales. Some of these miniatures contain reminiscences of fa m ous larger works very popular at the time. The closing piece of the series is an extremely charming three-part fugue.