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Difference between revisions of "Jabez Tarbox"

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(Created page with "Composer of the ode-symphony ''The Plains'', a parody of French composer [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Félicien_David Félicien David]’s ode-symphony, ''[https://en.wikipe...")
 
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any other country, by a very full orchestra (the performance  
 
any other country, by a very full orchestra (the performance  
 
taking place immediately after supper), and a chorus composed  
 
taking place immediately after supper), and a chorus composed  
of the entire " Sauer Kraut- Verein," the Wee Gates Associa
+
of the entire "Sauer Kraut-Verein," the Wee Gates Association," and choice selections from the " Gyascutus" and " Pike-  
tion," and choice selections from the " Gyascutus" and " Pike-  
+
harmonic" societies. The solos were rendered by Her [[Tuden Links]], the recitations by Herr [[Von Hyden Schnapps]],  
harmonic " societies. The solos were rendered by Her Tu-
 
den Links, the recitations by Herr Yon Hyden Schnapps,  
 
 
both performers being assisted by Messrs. John Smith and  
 
both performers being assisted by Messrs. John Smith and  
Joseph Brown, who held their coats, fanned them, and fur
+
Joseph Brown, who held their coats, fanned them, and furnished water during the more overpowering passages.  
nished water during the more overpowering passages.  
 
  
" The Plains " we consider the greatest musical achieve  
+
"The Plains" we consider the greatest musical achieve  
 
ment that has been presented to an enraptured public. Like  
 
ment that has been presented to an enraptured public. Like  
 
Waterloo among battles ; Napoleon among warriors ; Niagara  
 
Waterloo among battles ; Napoleon among warriors ; Niagara  
among falls, and Peck among senators, this magnificent com
+
among falls, and Peck among senators, this magnificent composition stands among Oratorios, Operas, Musical Melodra  
position stands among Oratorios, Operas, Musical Melodra  
 
 
mas and performances of Ethiopian Serenaders, peerless and  
 
mas and performances of Ethiopian Serenaders, peerless and  
unrivalled. Ilfrappe ioute chose parfaitment froid.  
+
unrivalled. ''Il frappe ioute chose parfaitment froid.''
  
" It does not depend for its success " upon its plot, its  
+
"It does not depend for its success" upon its plot, its  
 
theme, its school or its master, for it has very little if any of  
 
theme, its school or its master, for it has very little if any of  
 
them, but upon its soul-subduing, all-absorbing, high-faluting  
 
them, but upon its soul-subduing, all-absorbing, high-faluting  
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experience the most singular and exquisite sensations. Its  
 
experience the most singular and exquisite sensations. Its  
 
strains at times remind us of those of the old master of  
 
strains at times remind us of those of the old master of  
the steamer McKim, who never went to sea without being un
+
the steamer McKim, who never went to sea without being unpleasantly affected ; a straining after effect he use to term it.  
pleasantly affected ; a straining after effect he use to term it.  
 
 
Blair in his lecture on beauty, and Mills in his treatise on  
 
Blair in his lecture on beauty, and Mills in his treatise on  
 
logic, (p. 31,) have alluded to the feeling which might be  
 
logic, (p. 31,) have alluded to the feeling which might be  
produced in the human mind, by something of this transcen-
+
produced in the human mind, by something of this transcendentally sublime description, but it has remained for M. Tarbox, in the production of The Plains, to call this feeling forth.  
dentally sublime description, but it has remained forM. Tar-
 
box, in the production of The Plains, to call this feeling forth.  
 
  
  
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in longitude 115 W., latitude 35 2V 03" N., and about  
 
in longitude 115 W., latitude 35 2V 03" N., and about  
 
sixty miles from the west bank of Pitt River. These data  
 
sixty miles from the west bank of Pitt River. These data  
are beautifully and clearly expressed by a long (topographi
+
are beautifully and clearly expressed by a long (topographically) drawn note from an E flat clarionet. The sandy  
cally) drawn note from an E flat clarionet. The sandy  
 
 
nature of the soil, sparsely dotted with bunches of cactus  
 
nature of the soil, sparsely dotted with bunches of cactus  
 
and artemisia, the extended view, flat and unbroken to the  
 
and artemisia, the extended view, flat and unbroken to the  
horizon, save by the rising smoke in the extreme verge, de
+
horizon, save by the rising smoke in the extreme verge, denoting the vicinity of a Pi Utah village, are represented by  
noting the vicinity of a Pi Utah village, are represented by  
+
the bass drum. A few notes on the piccolo, calls the attention to a solitary antelope, picking up mescal beans in the  
the bass drum. A few notes on the piccolo, calls the atten
 
tion to a solitary antelope, picking up mescal beans in the  
 
 
foreground. The sun having an altitude of 36 27 X , blazes  
 
foreground. The sun having an altitude of 36 27 X , blazes  
 
down upon the scene in indescribable majesty. " Gradually  
 
down upon the scene in indescribable majesty. " Gradually  
the sounds roll forth in a song " of rejoicing to the Grod of  
+
the sounds roll forth in a song " of rejoicing to the God of Day.
Day.  
+
 
  
 
"Of thy intensity  
 
"Of thy intensity  
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Which swells out into " Hey Jim along, Jim along Josey,"  
 
Which swells out into " Hey Jim along, Jim along Josey,"  
then decrescendo, mas o menos, poco pocita, dies away and  
+
then ''decrescendo, mas o menos, poco pocita'', dies away and dries up.  
dries up.  
 
  
Suddenly we hear approaching a train from Pike County,  
+
Suddenly we hear approaching a train from Pike County, consisting of seven families, with forty-six wagons, each drawn by thirteen oxen ; each family consists of a man in butternut-colored clothing driving the oxen ; a wife in butternut-colored clothing riding in the wagon, holding a butternut baby, and seventeen butternut children running promiscuously about the establishment ; all are barefooted, dusty, and smell unpleasantly- (All these circumstances are expressed by pretty rapid fiddling for some minutes, winding up with a puff from the orpheclide, played by an intoxicated Teuton with an atrocious breath it is impossible to misunderstand the description.) Now rises o er the plains in  
consisting of seven families, with forty-six wagons, each  
 
drawn by thirteen oxen ; each family consists of a man in  
 
butternut-colored clothing driving the oxen ; a wife in but
 
ternut-colored clothing riding in the wagon, holding a butternut baby, and seventeen butternut children running promis
 
cuously about the establishment ; all are barefooted, dusty,  
 
and smell unpleasantly- (All these circumstances are expressed by pretty rapid fiddling for some minutes, winding  
 
up with a puff from the orpheclide, played by an intoxicated  
 
Teuton with an atrocious breath it is impossible to misunderstand the description.) Now rises o er the plains in  
 
 
mellifluous accents, the grand Pike County Chorus.  
 
mellifluous accents, the grand Pike County Chorus.  
 +
  
 
" Oh we ll soon be thar  
 
" Oh we ll soon be thar  
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And we ll soon be thar.  
 
And we ll soon be thar.  
  
Gee up Bolly ! whoo, up, TVUOO haw !  
+
Gee up Bolly! whoo, up, whoo haw!  
 +
 
  
 
The train now encamp. The unpacking of the kettles  
 
The train now encamp. The unpacking of the kettles  
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Followed by that touching recitative :  
 
Followed by that touching recitative :  
  
" Shet up, or I -will spank you !  
+
" Shet up, or I will spank you !  
  
  
To which succeeds a grand crescendo movement, repre
+
To which succeeds a grand crescendo movement, representing the flight of the child, with the pancake, the pursuit  
senting the flight of the child, with the pancake, the pursuit  
+
of the mother, and the final arrest and summary punishment of the former, represented by the rapid and successive strokes of the Castanet.  
of the mother, and the final arrest and summary punishment  
 
of the former, represented by the rapid and successive strokes  
 
of the Castanet.  
 
  
The turning in for the night follows ; and the deep and  
+
The turning in for the night follows ; and the deep and stertorous breathing of the encampment, is well given by the  
stertorous breathing of the encampment, is well given by the  
+
bassoon, while the sufferings and trials of an unhappy father with an unpleasant infant, are touchingly set forth by the  
bassoon, while the sufferings and trials of an unhappy father  
+
''cornet à piston''.  
with an unpleasant infant, are touchingly set forth by the  
 
cornet d piston.  
 
  
Part Second The night attack of the Pi Utahs; the  
+
Part Second - The night attack of the Pi Utahs; the  
 
fearful cries of the demoniac Indians; the shrieks of the  
 
fearful cries of the demoniac Indians; the shrieks of the  
females and children ; the rapid and effective fire of the rifles ;  
+
females and children ; the rapid and effective fire of the rifles;  
the stampede of the oxen ; their recovery and the final re
+
the stampede of the oxen ; their recovery and the final repulse ; the Pi Utahs being routed after a loss of thirty-six  
pulse ; the Pi Utahs being routed after a loss of thirty-six  
 
 
killed and wounded, while the Pikes lose but one scalp (from  
 
killed and wounded, while the Pikes lose but one scalp (from  
 
an old fellow who wore a wig, and lost it in the scuffle), are  
 
an old fellow who wore a wig, and lost it in the scuffle), are  
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minds of the hearers ; the emotions of fear, admiration and  
 
minds of the hearers ; the emotions of fear, admiration and  
 
delight, succeeding each other in their minds, with almost  
 
delight, succeeding each other in their minds, with almost  
painful rapidity. Then follows the grand chorus :  
+
painful rapidity. Then follows the grand chorus:  
 +
 
  
 
" Oh ! we gin them fits,  
 
" Oh ! we gin them fits,  
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After which, we have the charming recitative of Herr  
 
After which, we have the charming recitative of Herr  
Tuden Links, to the infant, which is really one of the most  
+
[[Tuden Links]], to the infant, which is really one of the most  
 
charming gems in the performance :  
 
charming gems in the performance :  
  
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Morning succeeds. The sun rises magnificently (octavo  
+
Morning succeeds. The sun rises magnificently (octavo flute) breakfast is eaten, in a rapid movement on three  
flute) breakfast is eaten, in a rapid movement on three  
+
sharps; the oxen are caught and yoked up with a small drum and triangle ; the watches, purses, and other valuables  
sharps; the oxen are caught and yoked up with a small  
+
v of the conquered Pi Utahs, are stored away in a camp-kettle, to a small movement on the piccolo, and the train moves on,  
drum and triangle ; the watches, purses, and other valuables  
 
v of the conquered Pi Utahs, are stored away in a camp-kettle,  
 
to a small movement on the piccolo, and the train moves on,  
 
 
with the grand chorus :  
 
with the grand chorus :  
  
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*https://archive.org/stream/phoenixiana00derbrich#page/n55/
 
*https://archive.org/stream/phoenixiana00derbrich#page/n55/
 
*https://www.ripm.org/cnc/?p=431
 
*https://www.ripm.org/cnc/?p=431
 +
*https://www.jstor.org/stable/3052100?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents

Revision as of 12:46, 22 August 2018

Composer of the ode-symphony The Plains, a parody of French composer Félicien David’s ode-symphony, Le désert.

THE PLAINS. ODE SYMPHONIE PAR JABEZ TARBOX.

This glorious composition was produced at the San Diego Odeon, on the 31st of June, ult., for the first time in this or any other country, by a very full orchestra (the performance taking place immediately after supper), and a chorus composed of the entire "Sauer Kraut-Verein," the Wee Gates Association," and choice selections from the " Gyascutus" and " Pike- harmonic" societies. The solos were rendered by Her Tuden Links, the recitations by Herr Von Hyden Schnapps, both performers being assisted by Messrs. John Smith and Joseph Brown, who held their coats, fanned them, and furnished water during the more overpowering passages.

"The Plains" we consider the greatest musical achieve ment that has been presented to an enraptured public. Like Waterloo among battles ; Napoleon among warriors ; Niagara among falls, and Peck among senators, this magnificent composition stands among Oratorios, Operas, Musical Melodra mas and performances of Ethiopian Serenaders, peerless and unrivalled. Il frappe ioute chose parfaitment froid.

"It does not depend for its success" upon its plot, its theme, its school or its master, for it has very little if any of them, but upon its soul-subduing, all-absorbing, high-faluting effect upon the audience, every member of which it causes to experience the most singular and exquisite sensations. Its strains at times remind us of those of the old master of the steamer McKim, who never went to sea without being unpleasantly affected ; a straining after effect he use to term it. Blair in his lecture on beauty, and Mills in his treatise on logic, (p. 31,) have alluded to the feeling which might be produced in the human mind, by something of this transcendentally sublime description, but it has remained for M. Tarbox, in the production of The Plains, to call this feeling forth.


The symphonic opens upon the wide and boundless plains, in longitude 115 W., latitude 35 2V 03" N., and about sixty miles from the west bank of Pitt River. These data are beautifully and clearly expressed by a long (topographically) drawn note from an E flat clarionet. The sandy nature of the soil, sparsely dotted with bunches of cactus and artemisia, the extended view, flat and unbroken to the horizon, save by the rising smoke in the extreme verge, denoting the vicinity of a Pi Utah village, are represented by the bass drum. A few notes on the piccolo, calls the attention to a solitary antelope, picking up mescal beans in the foreground. The sun having an altitude of 36 27 X , blazes down upon the scene in indescribable majesty. " Gradually the sounds roll forth in a song " of rejoicing to the God of Day.


"Of thy intensity

And great immensity

Now then we sing ;

Beholding in gratitude

Thee in this latitude,

Curious thing."


Which swells out into " Hey Jim along, Jim along Josey," then decrescendo, mas o menos, poco pocita, dies away and dries up.

Suddenly we hear approaching a train from Pike County, consisting of seven families, with forty-six wagons, each drawn by thirteen oxen ; each family consists of a man in butternut-colored clothing driving the oxen ; a wife in butternut-colored clothing riding in the wagon, holding a butternut baby, and seventeen butternut children running promiscuously about the establishment ; all are barefooted, dusty, and smell unpleasantly- (All these circumstances are expressed by pretty rapid fiddling for some minutes, winding up with a puff from the orpheclide, played by an intoxicated Teuton with an atrocious breath it is impossible to misunderstand the description.) Now rises o er the plains in mellifluous accents, the grand Pike County Chorus.


" Oh we ll soon be thar

In the land of gold,

Through the forest old,

O er the mounting cold,

"With spirits bold

Oh, we come, we come,

And we ll soon be thar.

Gee up Bolly! whoo, up, whoo haw!


The train now encamp. The unpacking of the kettles and mess-pans, the unyoking of the oxen, the gathering about the various camp-fires, the frizzling of the pork, are so clearly expressed by the music, that the most untutored savage could readily comprehend it. Indeed, so vivid and lifelike was the representation, that a lady sitting near us, involuntarily exclaimed aloud, at a certain passage, " Thar, that pork's burning ! " and it was truly interesting to watch the gratified expression of her face when, by a few notes of the guitar, the pan was removed from the fire, and the blazing pork extinguished.

This is followed by the beautiful aria :

" O ! marm, I want a pancake ! "


Followed by that touching recitative :

" Shet up, or I will spank you !


To which succeeds a grand crescendo movement, representing the flight of the child, with the pancake, the pursuit of the mother, and the final arrest and summary punishment of the former, represented by the rapid and successive strokes of the Castanet.

The turning in for the night follows ; and the deep and stertorous breathing of the encampment, is well given by the bassoon, while the sufferings and trials of an unhappy father with an unpleasant infant, are touchingly set forth by the cornet à piston.

Part Second - The night attack of the Pi Utahs; the fearful cries of the demoniac Indians; the shrieks of the females and children ; the rapid and effective fire of the rifles; the stampede of the oxen ; their recovery and the final repulse ; the Pi Utahs being routed after a loss of thirty-six killed and wounded, while the Pikes lose but one scalp (from an old fellow who wore a wig, and lost it in the scuffle), are faithfully given, and excite the most intense interest in the minds of the hearers ; the emotions of fear, admiration and delight, succeeding each other in their minds, with almost painful rapidity. Then follows the grand chorus:


" Oh ! we gin them fits,

The Ingen Utahs.

With our six-shooters

We gin em pertickuler fits."


After which, we have the charming recitative of Herr Tuden Links, to the infant, which is really one of the most charming gems in the performance :


" Now, dern your skin, can t you be easy ? "


Morning succeeds. The sun rises magnificently (octavo flute) breakfast is eaten, in a rapid movement on three sharps; the oxen are caught and yoked up with a small drum and triangle ; the watches, purses, and other valuables v of the conquered Pi Utahs, are stored away in a camp-kettle, to a small movement on the piccolo, and the train moves on, with the grand chorus :


" We ll soon be thar,

Gee up Bolly ! Whoo hup ! whoo haw ! "

The whole concludes with the grand hymn and chorus :

" When we die we U go to Benton,

Whup! Whoo, haw! The greatest man that e er land saw,

Goe! Who thia little airth was sent on

Whup ! Whoo, haw ! To tell a hawk from a hand-saw !

Gee!"


The immense expense attending the production of this magnificent work; the length of time required to prepare the chorus ; the incredible number of instruments destroyed at each rehearsal, have hitherto prevented M. Tarbox from placing it before the American public, and it has remained for San Diego to show herself superior to her sister cities of the Union, in musical taste and appreciation, and in high-souled liberality, by patronizing this immortal prodigy, and enabling its author to bring it forth in accordance with his wishes and its capabilities. We trust every citizen of San Diego and Vallecetos will listen to it ere it is withdrawn ; and if there yet lingers in San Francisco one spark of musical fervor, or a remnant of taste for pure harmony, we can only say that the Southerner sails from that place once a fortnight, and that the passage money is but forty-five dollars.

See also

External Links