Articles in English | Articles in German

Index of Articles and Similar Material in English

#1001  Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung, No. 36, September 1835, Vienna: untitled article (English translation)

#1002  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 2, Thursday 12 January 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

#1003  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 15, Thursday 13 April 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

#1004  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 21, Wednesday 24 May 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

#1005  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 26, Thursday 29 June 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

#1006  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 45, Thursday 9 November 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

#1001  Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung, No. 36, September 1835, Vienna: untitled article (English translation)

"... - Finally, we have to report about the concert of an unknown Mr. Joseph Gusikow, who could be heard on request even more than once on the so-called "Strohfiedel" ["straw fiddle"], or, as it is called in Austria, on the "wooden laughter".

To inform the uninitiated, it should be said that this almost lacking instrument consists of only 26 wooden bars, resting on five bundles of straw which, in regard to the proportion of sound, are longer or shorter, and hit with a pair of wooden hammers.

On this neither delicate, beautiful nor especially well-sounding dulcimer, lying in front of him on a little table, Gusikow played, accompanied by two violins and one cello, an Aria by Rossini, an Allegro by Hoffmeister, variations and a potpourri, with a technical skill that can only be acquired through longstanding practice and of which only the ear witness can form an idea. Passages in fastest possible tempo, all the nuances between forte and piano, crescendo and diminuendo, nice trills, everything played purely and clearly, yes, even tastefully - elegant, which at least has to surprise, cause astonishment and admiration.

The novelty of it and the truly extremely extraordinary technique resulted in tumultuous applause, and the producer who, born in Russia, appeared in an old national costume, including his companions, could successfully arrange a second concert immediately."

#1002  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 2, Thursday 12 January 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

"Gusikow didn't create much enthusiasm in Paris. There also wasn't a lack of mockery. It was said, for example, that a savonarde could be heard producing sounds with his brush while cleaning his boots that are of a Paganini-like virtuosity."

#1003  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 15, Thursday 13 April 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

"Mr. Gusikow has been given a richly jewel-studded ring by the king for his performance at a concert at the court of Brussels."

#1004  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 21, Wednesday 24 May 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

"Master Gusikow, the famous artist on the wood-and-straw isntrument, lies down sick in Brussels almost without any hope."

#1005  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 26, Thursday 29 June 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

"According to the reports of Belgian newspapers, probably joking, Gusikow's wood-and-straw instrument was stolen. A German language-teacher, Rosenstein, had already enjoyed the instrument for a long time, and planned to take possesion of it. In fact he put this plan into practice; he escaped abroad with his loot, to America, in order to give concerts there. Gusikow is frighteningly unhappy, for now he'll be busy with building a new instrument."

#1006  Allgemeiner Musikalischer Anzeiger, No. 45, Thursday 9 November 1837, Vienna: untitled report (English translation)

"The straw-fiddle virtuoso Gusikow has died in Aachen."

in html form Copyright  © 2003 Alex Jacobowitz, reproduced with permission. Editing, html formatting, as well as other editorial content, except where stated, Copyright © 2003 Rainlore's World of Music/Rainlore.  Copy only with copyright owner's written permission. Web presentation, page design and original art Copyright  © .