<<  -- 5 --  Jennifer Paull    REMINISCENT RETROSPECTIVES

The Loophonium, for which Liverpool's Walker Art Gallery recently 'splashed out' (I quote the press release) 2,640 pounds, was acquired recently at a Sotheby's auction. Used for Fritz' April Fools and Nuts in May concerts, it illustrates the sense of humour of this ever imaginative Liverpudlian-by-adoption. Although the reasons for his having arrived in Britain were anything but funny, Fritz Spiegl did so much to liven up and make other people's lives happier and more humour-filled by his own work. To be a comedian within one's chosen field is one of the highest forms of Art. Parody and humour; the gifts of Gerard Hoffnung, were continued by Fritz Spiegl. In words and in music, he was above all else, a scholar. Fritz made fun with music and at music and in so doing brought new generations to music.

It was sometimes very difficult to keep a straight face during these concerts. I recall one particular favourite of mine. Fritz would give a serious, even pompous introduction about the relatively unknown, younger brother of Jacques Ibert (1890-1962), Edouard, known as 'Ted'. After some pseudo-musicological waffle, he would introduce Edouard Ibert's Divertissement. The contra-bassoon would then embark upon a splendid rendition of Ted Ibert's Picnic beneath an accompaniment of strings, most of whom were elbow-clutching their sides or trying not to splash tears onto their varnish. The more serious he appeared, the more Fritz' audience collapsed into laughter.

Fritz Spiegl undoubtedly became one of Liverpool's leading humorists, a title not easy to merit from a city that has given so many comedians to the world. The surreal musical instrument of his own invention (circa 1960) was made by replacing the bell of a silver-plated euphonium with a mock-Victorian, flower-painted porcelain lavatory bowl, completed by a wooden lyre in the form of a lid seat. The strings of the lyre reminding one of a harp, this is probably the reason for yet another cunning play on words and the incredible contraption's alternative name -- the 'Harpic-phone'. Although the brand name of the well-known loo cleaner was the inspiration, this alternative is not so distant from the 'Heckelphone' (an instrumental hybrid, seated uncomfortably between the oboe and bassoon families). Unlike the Loophonium, the Heckelphone was sadly not a one off, although there were only ever sixteen piccolo-Heckelphones ever made. There are many things for which we must be grateful.

Julian Treuherz, Liverpool's Keeper of Galleries is quoted as having said, 'We are absolutely thrilled to have purchased this. We bought it to celebrate Fritz Spiegl's musical contribution to Liverpool and to Liverpool humour. We already have a collection of musical instruments but this is quite exceptional.'

A most observant gentleman!

I daren't think what would have happened to the last half of the twentieth century had Fritz Spiegl and John Cage known each other! Perhaps Four Minutes 33 Seconds would have had an optional obligato instrumental line -- silent too, of course!

Gerard Hoffnung and Fritz Spiegl were born in Germany just one year apart from each other and both made Britain their adopted home. Fritz died on the 23rd March, the day after Hoffnung's birthday, which is the 22nd. I hope the brilliant tuba player, who tragically left us far too soon and the talented flautist, who shared the same lens on music and language, are organising many celestial, music festivals! Many good friends are sure to be taking part.

The world in general doesn't know what to make of originality; it is startled out of its comfortable habits of thought, and its first reaction is one of anger. -- W Somerset Maugham, writer (1874-1965)