JAMES CAVANAGH,
Madam, - Yes indeed, Sean O' Mordha's documentary on the piano was a splendid piece of television. As expected, Hugh Tinney's assertion that the piano is the king of musical instruments has raised some hackles in your pages. Dr Gerard Gillen (January 10th) attempts to dethrone the piano favour of the organ by quoting Mozart.
As a humble player/teacher, please allow me to remind both gentlemen of the majesty of the trumpet, which features frequently in the Bible and has a real history. This magnificent instrument, which we will all hear upon entering the Kingdom, will be played by the celestial representatives of the Great One.
This, surely, is the king of instruments. I suggest Mr Tinney and Dr Gillen fight it out for second place. - Yours, etc.,
JAMES CAVANAGH, Mannix Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
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Madam, - Keats and Chapman decided to go to an organ recital. "Will there be a monkey?" enquired Keats. "That is hardly likely," replied Chapman, "since the organ is the king of instruments."
While they were waiting for the programme to start they admired the golden pipes sprouting towards the ceiling like the branches of a tree. The organist climbed on the stool and started to play. "Why is he a posteriori?" asked Keats. "Ars longa, vita brevis," explained Chapman as the organist leapt fearlessly from one manual to another and clung to the pedalboard with his feet. The pipes vibrated like branches in the wind as the huge sound filled the concert hall. Meanwhile the organist's assistant was busy dashing from side to side pushing and pulling the stops and turning the fluttering pages.
When the music finished and the organist turned to face the audience Keats exclaimed to Chapman, "That truly is the King Kong of instruments." - Yours, etc.,
ITA BEAUSANG, The Stiles Road, Dublin 3.