mark james
IAP Collection, Curator
(A rerun from last years BASH).
Some obscure historical lore of "dubious truth":
Somewhere in Sweden in 1718 efforts were being made to conclude hostilities between Prussia and Sweden (The Great Northern War). Tense negotiations between untrusting parties were needed.
In order to initiate the process of negotiating a truce, both sides agreed to meet. A nearby neutral Nobleman agreed to host the two Military Leaders. Delegations from the three men sat for a Concert and a Feast, to be followed by joint negotiations the following day. Tensions were running high and betrayal was suspected. Doom was in the air. A smooth event was crucial.
After the usual greetings, pomp and circumstances and otherwise boring but necessary details, everyone sat for the concert. The music that evening was being performed by a protoge of J.S Bach, but who's name was suspiciously never recorded.
The piece he was to play was an early draft of what would become the "1720 Klavierbüchlein." All went well with the Prelude, but disaster occurred during the Fugue (a generally gloomy selection in the best of times). As the Harpsichordist began, a horrible sound emitted from the delicate clavier. Alas, one of the quills within the instrument had broken off - mischief, deceit and sabotage were whispered in hushed voices (so we assume).
As everyone sat in tense silence, the Noblemen's Court Scribe emerged out of the shadows and claimed a repair on the broken Harpsichord Quill with a piece from his own scribe's quill pen was possible, but he did not know how to join the pieces. A voice rang out: "Noble Lord, there is hope." The Nobleman asked who owned the voice, and a man stepped forward and stated - I, Mssr Siegmenteur, a humble turner of wood. He stated that he needed some string. As silence descended on the hall, The two leaders of the mighty armies stood and each offered - a shoe (really, really). One string lace was cut from each shoe, was paired with the section of quill from the scribe's pen and the needed repair was accomplished.
The concert was finished in grand fashion, the feast was a joyous event and through the cooperation and humility of the dignitaries the two delegations left the next morning in peace. They had learned that joyous music could be produced with broken shoelaces, a scribe's quill pen and some inspiration from a humble turner of wood.
As history records,
Subsequent Treaties were signed in Stockholm to end hostilities between Sweden and Prussia (1718, 1720 and 1724).
The final rendition of the concert music was ultimately J S Bach's "Well Tempered Clavier," 1724.
And a humble turner of wood (Mssr Siegmenteur), was forever revered as the first Master Segmenter, and savior of world peace.
In honor of Mssr Siegmenteur, may I redirect you to: The Segmented Pen Contest. Fame, glory and world peace may await you.
Pen Turning Lore, Myths and Fables - III
The Scribe, Master Segmenter and World Peace
The Scribe, Master Segmenter and World Peace
Some obscure historical lore of "dubious truth":
Somewhere in Sweden in 1718 efforts were being made to conclude hostilities between Prussia and Sweden (The Great Northern War). Tense negotiations between untrusting parties were needed.
In order to initiate the process of negotiating a truce, both sides agreed to meet. A nearby neutral Nobleman agreed to host the two Military Leaders. Delegations from the three men sat for a Concert and a Feast, to be followed by joint negotiations the following day. Tensions were running high and betrayal was suspected. Doom was in the air. A smooth event was crucial.
After the usual greetings, pomp and circumstances and otherwise boring but necessary details, everyone sat for the concert. The music that evening was being performed by a protoge of J.S Bach, but who's name was suspiciously never recorded.
The piece he was to play was an early draft of what would become the "1720 Klavierbüchlein." All went well with the Prelude, but disaster occurred during the Fugue (a generally gloomy selection in the best of times). As the Harpsichordist began, a horrible sound emitted from the delicate clavier. Alas, one of the quills within the instrument had broken off - mischief, deceit and sabotage were whispered in hushed voices (so we assume).
As everyone sat in tense silence, the Noblemen's Court Scribe emerged out of the shadows and claimed a repair on the broken Harpsichord Quill with a piece from his own scribe's quill pen was possible, but he did not know how to join the pieces. A voice rang out: "Noble Lord, there is hope." The Nobleman asked who owned the voice, and a man stepped forward and stated - I, Mssr Siegmenteur, a humble turner of wood. He stated that he needed some string. As silence descended on the hall, The two leaders of the mighty armies stood and each offered - a shoe (really, really). One string lace was cut from each shoe, was paired with the section of quill from the scribe's pen and the needed repair was accomplished.
The concert was finished in grand fashion, the feast was a joyous event and through the cooperation and humility of the dignitaries the two delegations left the next morning in peace. They had learned that joyous music could be produced with broken shoelaces, a scribe's quill pen and some inspiration from a humble turner of wood.
As history records,
Subsequent Treaties were signed in Stockholm to end hostilities between Sweden and Prussia (1718, 1720 and 1724).
The final rendition of the concert music was ultimately J S Bach's "Well Tempered Clavier," 1724.
And a humble turner of wood (Mssr Siegmenteur), was forever revered as the first Master Segmenter, and savior of world peace.
In honor of Mssr Siegmenteur, may I redirect you to: The Segmented Pen Contest. Fame, glory and world peace may await you.
