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FORTY YEARS' PEACE. |
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results were in many cases notable, and the service could boast (sixty or seventy years ago) of many superior bands."4
One striking result of the rapid development of military bands, was the adoption of one by King George IV, which he maintained in addition to the court orchestra. His predecessor, Thackeray's " dapper little George," had tried a similar thing, but it was not to be compared to the wonderful organisation of George IV, which was acknowledged in its time as " the finest in Europe." It was originally formed from the band of the Tenth Hussars, but in the course of time absorbed some of the finest wind instrumentalists in Europe. The bandmaster was Christian Kramer, "a musician of the very first order," says the old "Biographical Dictionary of Musicians" (1825). Among the " lions" of the band was Schmidt—allowed the first trumpet in Europe. " His flourish was the most terrific and appalling thing ever heard from a musical instrument." Rehns was one of the horns, and a marvel, and the King was extremely partial to him. Spellerberg was the principal oboe, and Eisert the solo clarinet. The first bassoon was Waetzig, afterwards bandmaster of the Second Life Guards, whilst Albrecht and Schroeder were principal alto and tenor trombones. The first serpent player was Andre, whose marvellous notes were the amazement of everybody. Kramer, the bandmaster, arranged a prodigious amount of music |
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"Kappey, "Military Music."
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