TELEPHONE HARP CONCERT. Sound Waves Brought Two Miles, and Heard in Union Hall.

Not a large but a very appreciative live audience greeted Mr. Frederick Allen Gower on Wednesday evening, in Union Hall, at his Illustrated lecture and concert on the newly invented instrument, the Telephone Harp. Pearl street, Boston, was called, and Mr. Mathews was asked to play upon the telephone harp, which is an instrument consisting of four octaves of thin steel tongues, set in a steel frame, like a mouth harmonica. Under each tongue is a hammer operated like a telegraphic or pianoforte key. When the keys are played upon, the hammers press the tongues upward, bringing them in connection with a metallic point like that of any telegraphic instrument. When these points are touched by the vibrating tongues, the circuit is opened, the musical note is transmitted over the wire, and repeated at the other end by the telephone. A battery passed electricity through what is termed a Geitler tube, resembling the letter U, and containing hydrogen gas ; and as the notes were played upon the telephonic harp in Boston, the sound waves or vibrations of music corresponded exactly with the flashes of light of various colors, which were thus given out. The hall was darkened of course, during this successful experiment, which the audience unanimously applauded as a most marked and triumphant success of scientific discovery and practical application. A few more remarks were made by Mr. Gower, showing the present commercial success of the telephone, no less than 6,000 being now in use in the United States. Cambridge Chronicle — 26 January 1878

Novel Harmonica Performance from Prof. Goodwall Merck

Prof. G. Goodwall Merck, introduced his musical novelties. He plays the violin, guitar, banjo and harmonica, finely; and also performs the difficult act of playing upon the harmonica, "guitar, drums, cymbals, triangle and bells, at one and the same time, giving a very good imitation of a band of music. Cambridge Chronicle — 27 February 1875

Wholesale Notion House.

S. W. Wren & Co. (Formerly of Natches, Miss.) Keep on hand the largest and most Complete Stock of NOTIONS In the State. MERCHANTS Can find a Full Line of Notions of all Kinds: Soaps, Perfumeries, Stationery, School Books, Hosiery, Table and Pocket Cutlery, Combs, Brushes, Pipes, Violins, Looking Glasses, Fish Hooks, and Lines, &c. Remember the Children and look at our stock of TOYS. Dolls. Marbles. Rattles. rubber Balls. Harmonicas. Jews harps. Jumping Josies, Tops, Toy Watches, and a thousand other articles. Dallas Herald — 21 July 1866

A Promise of First-Rate Entertainment.

On Saturday evening, a duet will be performed by "Professor" T. P. Ryder. on the great organ, and " Professor" Wallach on the "Mouth Harmonica." Subsequently, Mr. patrick will perform a solo on the Mouth Discordica. Altogether, this is high art. The New Orleans crescent. — 6 January 1869

DYER, ROKOHL & BUTLER - AUCTIONEERS AND COMISSION MERCHANTS

Magnificent Furniture OF SAID RESIDENCE, mahogany Chamber Sets; Rich Lace Curtains, Window Shades and Blinds; 3-Ply and Ingrain Carpets; Beds, Bedding, Sheets, Quilts, Pillow Cases, Lounges, Sofas, Whatnots; Dining room and Kitchen Furniture. 1 Extension Dining Table, 1 excellent Cook Stove; Flatware. Cutlery, Glassware Crockery, Etc., Etc. ALSO1 Splendid Pianoforte, full rich and brilliant tone, rosewood case, carved legs and elegant finish — a superior instrument. Also, 1 Music Box, Harmonica attachment; Also, 1 Monkey, classically educated; Also, 1 Talking Parrot! Daily Alta California — 17 January 1866

Mr. Shattuck Receives Triple Encore for his Harmonica Efforts!

Royal Arch Lodge gave an entertainment and festival, Tuesday evening, in Pythian Hall. A decided novelty and feature of the evening was Mr. B. E. Shattuck on the harmonica. The gentleman's efforts were so highly appreciated that he received three hearty encores. Cambridge Chronicle — 22 June 1878

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Geluckig Vaderland

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Rex
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Geluckig Vaderland Feb 11, 2022 23:14:11 GMT Sarge, harpbaby, and 5 more like this

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Post by Rex on Feb 11, 2022 23:14:11 GMT

This is also spelled Gelukkig Vaderland. It is a Dutch hymn written in 1591. It translates to Happy Fatherland. It was written to celebrate a victory at the Battle of Turnhout, which helped put the region on the road to independence. Turnhout is in the Flemish speaking region of what is today Belgium. Some of my ancestors came from the Flemish speaking area of Belgium, so the history interested me. I was looking for a more famous Dutch hymn called Wilt heden nu treden. The music for that is used for our hymn We Gather Together. It was written in 1597. I was looking for it in another key and found an image from a very old hymnal. These two songs were on pages opposite each other. I can read music and this other hymn seemed like it might play well on a pair of tremolo harps. Then I looked up the words and the history of it and found a European folk music site that had all the words translated. This hymn ties religion and patriotism together in a way we don't often see today.

It's always fun to find a new old song for my tremolo harps.

Ora et Labora

harpbaby Charter Member Posts: 92	Geluckig Vaderland Feb 15, 2022 5:38:52 GMT Rex and bernd like this Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by harpbaby on Feb 15, 2022 5:38:52 GMT Wow, what a fun musical journey with an unexpected and surprising twist! That's neat Rex. Thanks for sharing.....

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