Special Biography

[shostakovich]

I usually do this as a quiz, but in this case, it's unlikely you've heard of the itinerant Dutch musician, Domby Dreck (1855-1914). His claim to fame is that he could play 17 different instruments (none of them well). He admired his contemporaries and composers of the past. In tribute to them, he would play reductions of their music in the open air, so that many listeners could benefit. The great composers didn't especially appreciate that. Brahms called him a "pferd", and Gounod considered his music making "merde". He performed Wagner in Leipzig, and for his efforts, the master called him "Die Friegende Hollander". <P>However, nothing could disuade him from his dedication to the great men. One time he visited Venice to absorb the spirit of Gabrielli. He played several canzone in St Mark's Square on a defective flute. The crowd was shocked not only by the sounds, but by the savagery of the pigeons' attack.<P>Nothing could still his devotion. He performed in the streets of Paris in the mid 1890s. It's a little known fact that Emile Zola's "I Accuse" article denouncing the military for framing Alfred Dreyfus in the name of "national security" also denounced the government itself for allowing public Dreck performances at so critical a time.<P>For the next 2 decades very little is known of his travels, but his last minutes are documented. In the late Summer of 1914 he was seen floating down the Marne river during a lull in the fighting. He must have been trying to quell the hostilities, but he only succeeded in starting a new battle. It's not clear which side got the credit for blowing him out of the water. His body was fished out several days later, and buried with little ceremony. A priest, who insisted on remaining anonymous, ended the short eulogy with "Ashes to ashes, a bushel and a peck. Here lie the bones of Domby Dreck."<BR>Shos

[John]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by shostakovich:<BR><B>I usually do this as a quiz, but in this case....</B><HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Shos:<P>This was fascinating. You have a gift for writing and making such things interesting. Thank you for sharing!<P>John<P><BR>

[Peter]

Great story, Shos. On the strength of it, I am now a Domby Dreck fan!

[dkm32]

Well, now you've discovered the secret of my musical talents! I think I must be a blood relative. <P>Quantity not Quallity!<P>Donna

[shostakovich]

I'm back for a brief check, and am gratified to think we may have the seeds of a fan club, and a distant relative as well. In the interim I received a note from the Smithsonian about early Edison recordings that may have included performances of Dreck on a variety of instruments. Edison would certainly have wanted to capture performances unlike anything he had ever heard before. And, by the way, Edison's hearing impairment predated his encounter with Dreck, scurrilous rumors notwithstanding. In any case, it's now clear that the French government did collect its collective wits and expell him.<P>The communique also reported something of Domby's instruments. You've all heard the expression "He's marching to a different drum." This may have been a reference to Domby, who played a different drum. He also performed on the viola di gamba, but when he played operatic duets he wanted a lighter, more feminine sound. He contacted a Sicilian imstrument maker, and between them, they devised the Violetta di Gambina.<P>Domby Dreck led a fascinating and varied existence. I wouldn't be surprised if more of his exploits came to light. I urge everyone who visits old book stores to see if they can find more on Domby's life.<BR>Shos

[shostakovich]

An unbelieveable event occurred here while the boards were down. Late, a couple of dreary nights ago, a rapping came at my door. I was pretty weary, and didn't hear it at first. It was a gentle tapping. Anyway, when I got to the door, there was a man in black, with a mask. He said nothing, but handed me a package addressed to "Shos". Was it a message from Hell, or the IRS? Shaken, I opened it, and this is what was inside. <P>REQUIEM BALLAD FOR DOMBY DRECK<P>CHEERY LIAISONS<BR>You think life's tough? Reality check.<BR>Hear the Requiem Ballad for Domby Dreck.<BR>He saw no kindness, not a speck.<BR>No cheery liaisons dealt from the deck.<P>Oh, what the heck, my life's a wreck,<BR>Said philosophical Domby Dreck.<P>AGNES DIED<BR>Aunt Agnes died from life of sin.<BR>Domby alone, no other kin.<BR>He wouldn't give up, he wouldn't give in,<BR>Surviving with his cup of tin.<P>Oh, what the heck, my life's a wreck,<BR>Said philosophical Domby Dreck.<P>TUBBY MIRIAM<BR>He begged, and borrowed, and stole to live,<BR>Pfennigs, farthings, whate'er they'd give.<BR>Cold comfort, tubby Miriam Bliv, <BR>Who spent centimes as through a sieve.<P>Oh, what the heck, my life's a wreck,<BR>Said philosophical Domby Dreck.<P>LACRIMOSE<BR>Lacrimose, and full of fears. <BR>He cast aside his woes and cares.<BR>And tried to please through pain and tears.<BR>But lack of love reduced his years.<P>Oh, what the heck, my life's a wreck,<BR>Said philosophical Domby Dreck.<P>EERY DAYS<BR>On eery days, he'd play and shout,<BR>In streets and by-ways roundabout.<BR>He played and played his poor heart out<BR>While being called a "useless lout".<P>Oh, what the heck, my life's a wreck,<BR>Said philosophical Domby Dreck.<P>FINALE<BR>Abuse he took, but what a guy!<BR>His story sad, it makes you cry.<BR>You can't sing this without a sigh,<BR>But please, no nasal twang to try.<P><BR>Just writing this has taken the steam out of me. My heart is in the coffin there, with Domby, and I must pause till it come back to me.<BR>Shos

[audiogirl]

I say, Shos, has a raven been picking at your brain? Your prose has a few telltale words.<P>Annabelle, uh, I mean Audiogirl

[Luegwig]

Oh, that was in Poe taste!

[EJA_2]

Shos,<P>Your poem made me feel as though I had a pendulum in the pit of my stomach, but it was only the tell-tale beating of my heart. I fear that forever more Domby Dreck will abide with Lenore. <P> -- EJA

[barfle]

It goes down better with a cask of .....

[shostakovich]

Good puns, you all. There's a Gauguin exhibit at our museum that includes a sketch of Mallarme (the Aftrnoon of a Faun guy). I just found out that he translated much of Poe's work into French, and that the French were very fond of Poe. Verrrry interrresting.<BR>Shos