Musician John Thompson
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| Thompson, here playing a unique double ocarina for visitor David Dolan, says that “the adventure video game ‘Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ has made this instrument newly popular.” |
Woodstock NB businessman John Thompson has a secret life in plain view at the Charles Connell House Museum. That’s where he is able to exhibit his impressive, 100-piece collection of historical, ethnic and experimental musical instruments, literally an A-to-Z from accordions to zithers along with harpsichords, kalimbas and mandolins. Look for the unusual too like a hurdy-gurdy and a waterphone.
This is likely the most significant such collection in Atlantic Canada and Thompson often gives tours to school groups. But on a recent sunny afternoon, he was at the museum enthralling tourists with stories about some of the note-worthy pieces in the collection ─ stories usually capped off with a demonstration. And, yes, he can play all of the instruments.
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During the Renaissance, the hurdy-gurdy
(one later type shown here being played by
Thompson) was a very popular instrument.
Then in the late 1960s Donovan released
his hit song, Hurdy-Gurdy Man, and
it sparked renewed public interest.
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My interest wasn’t so much in becoming a collector. I was interested early music from the baroque and Renaissance periods, a result of studying in London where I encountered musicians of all types in the early 1970s. Then, after I came back home in 1975, I got a harp almost by accident.
I know you often perform as a harpist, so tell me about this happy beginning.
Visiting San Francisco, I came across a fascinating little music shop that was going out of business. So I went in and there in a corner was a harp of beautifully crafted California walnut. In a sense, the collection started from there.
Then what?
In 1977 some friends and I formed the Thompson Consort to play so-called early music ─ medieval, Renaissance and baroque. We played authentic instruments of the period such as recorders, cornemuses, cornets and racketts. Then I found out about other such instruments and I would seek out the people who were making them.
That sounds like a rather humble start for a collection of this size and importance.
Eventually, people started giving me their musical instruments, many of them family heirlooms. For instance, this ophicleide (a large, keyed bugle; see photo and video below) was in my mother’s house at Saint Andrews. They weren’t made after 1850 or so. Wagner (the composer, 1813-1883) used them in his music but, as an instrument, it came to a dead end, succeeded by the euphonium and tuba.
Are all the pieces in your collection that rare?
Quite a few. This historic Muzio Clementi pianoforte (see photo below), circa 1800, would certainly be very rare in North America. Remarkably, I found it near Hartland NB some years ago in the corner of a junk shop. I realized it was something unusual, bought it for $75 and then had it meticulously restored. I’ve only ever seen another at a museum in Brussels.
Looking back at this musical journey of yours, do you have a particularly fond memory to share?
About twenty years ago, I formed an international folk music group called Border Crossing with a Latin American musician and three others from Maine. We released a CD in 1996 which the legendary CBC host Max Ferguson discovered and he frequently played selections on his very popular radio program. Then in 1998, the CBC had a huge on-air retirement party for him and he chose to play “Brian Boru's March” from our CD as the last piece on his final show. Quite an honour.
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This beautiful and rare pianoforte was made in London by Muzio Clementi (1752-1832) who was also a noted composer, pianist, conductor and music publisher. Known as the "Father of the Pianoforte", Clementi composed more than 100 sonatas and even Beethoven is said to have been a fan. Notice the ophicleide, to the right of the pianoforte, mentioned above and in the short video below.
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Connell House at 128 Connell Street, Woodstock NB, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 6pm or by appointment. Regular admission is $5 per person.