Angelic Music

When played, the glass armonica sounds like the unholy lovechild of glass harp and a church organ. It looks like a translucent gyro meat cone spinning in a coffin. It carries the musicality of a harpsichord and produces a brain numbing resonance of a mega speaker at a rock concert. In his latest book, "Angelic Music," Corey Mead examines the glass armonica from its invention by founding father, Benjamin Franklin through its twentieth-century revival. The book is a fascinating read, nearly as fascinating as the curious instrument itself.

"Angelic Music" is not an average, dry history of a musical instrument. Mead takes great care in detailing the western fascination with armonica but also the societal impact it made. Great men such as Galileo (who wrote a mathematical treatise on the phenomenon of friction applied to a glass' rim), Francis Bacon were intrigued by the sounds glass made, and Jesuit scholar Athanasius Kirchner. Franklin was the first of many men enchanted by the sounds; he was also the most industrious. Mead's descriptions of Franklin's scientific obsession engage the reader. Such a curious instrument deserves more investment than a cold biographical dissection of its parts.

Franklin, a poet and inventor as well as a President of the United States, was interested in music for its intellectual properties and contributions to society. Mead delves into what inspired Franklin to devote himself to perfecting the armonica. In turn, this inspiration touched the lives of others. Mead's pun-laden, whimsical style invites the reader to be as interested in the glass armonica as well.

Mead takes great consideration in discussing the female virtuosos of the armonica. He reminds the reader of women that might otherwise be forgotten to antiquity. The young Ann Ford had a scandalous career of concert performing against her father's wishes. She also published the first instruction manual. English musician Marianne Davies introduced the instrument to the public in 1761 after being gifted the armonica by Franklin. The Davies family introduced the instrument to Austrian royalty, and from there, its popularity took over the European continent. The blind musician Marianne Kirchgessner of Germany played warm, earthy music compared to the light tunes of her sisters in music. She learned by ear and was uncommonly independent at a time when the disabled were considered burdens on society.

It should be noted that Ann Ford's story reads a bit like a historical account of a woman who preferred the romantic attentions of women. She refused many marriage proposals and instead lived with female friends. Mead doesn't suggest that Ford was a lesbian, but it's possible to deduce this on one's own.

Local musicologists may be pleased to note the inclusion of a New Englander. In the chapters detailing the fall and revival of the glass armonica, we are introduced to Waltham, MA native Gerhard Finkenbeiner. He was a scientific glassblower who developed a market for contemporary glass armonicas. He continued selling them until his death in 1999.

"Angelic Music" is a quick, entertaining read for those who enjoy music history. Mead supports some of his passages with portraits and artistic renderings, but a photo of a glass armonica isn't shown until the last pages of the book. It is up to the reader to do some Googling to get the full picture beforehand.

"Angelic Music"
Corey Mead
Simon & Schuster
$28.00
www.simonandschuster.com