Reminiscences of Rotherham
by Alderman Geo. Gummer, J.P.
« « prevYounger clergymen made very capable readers.
I shall never forget one night in the first session, when Dr. Sewell (violin), Miss Sewell (piano). and Mr. John Brown(‘cello), in classical trios, were the star turn. ‘The doctor (organist of the Parish Church) was a most accomplished musician, whose reputation extended far outside his own town. There was an immense audience; there was not even standing room when the proceedings opened. Mr. John Brown was partner with his brother George in the Rotherham Forge. He was of a decidedly retiring disposition, and I should imagine had never in his life performed in public before. His own workpeople were evidently much surprised. That he could play an instrument at all was anything hut common knowledge. The men were present in large numbers, and nervous for Mr. John’s success.
The doctor was a biggish man, typical of his calling, with a slightly-cropped black beard. When he led the way to the platform, followed by his daughter—a quiet little lady - with Mr. Brown bringing up the rear, ‘cello in hand, the roar of a century went up.
Now Mr. John’ looks belied him. He was heavy, indeed almost aggressive in counten ance, thick eyebrows, loose mouth, with very mobile lips, mostly arranged as if in great disapproval of whatever was going on at the moment—yet he was known as a very benevolent old gentleman As he took his chair, what a picturesque figure he was! A 'Pickwickian sportsman' to perfection A musician, never, would have said the neophyte. But Mr. Brown was nothing if not thorough, and we knew he would not be undertaking what he could not do justice to.
A fair man, spotlessly clean, dark coat, bright buff vest with pearl buttons, light brown whipcord trousers, linen collar that would have dwarfed a Gladstone blue and bird’s.eye silk neckerchief tied in a bow, and to top all, a broad flat-topped Cambridge blue plush cap with tassel at the side, and broad purple velvet band round, completed with a sloping neb of canary-coloured patent leather, a fringe of light brown whiskers round the face, under jaws and chin and a complexion that was an index of patient colouring - never excessive in any sense but purely indicative of years of careful discrimination in the selection and proper use of the choicest vintages of his period. To be exact, it was a blend of pink on heliotrope. Such was the figure, and everybody was oa the 'qui vive'.
A perfect opening; violin, ‘cello, and piano normal; soon ‘cello gives a slight display of extra vigilance; to secure a delicacy this instrument wasto be the most responsible for. In operation the performer seemed to stroke his cheek along the finger-board, with an endearment and even ladylike smile, quite foreign to what anyone might have conceived of his sentimentality. But it was in the passing from piano to fortissimo when Mr. John was at his best; as emphasis and speed were approaching so did our operator show himself anticipatory. The eyebrows were knitted to just one indivisible undulation, the lips were pushed forward under the cellist’s nose ready for the crisis. And when it came, arm and head were in liaison at lightning speed - almost demonical - until the magnificent cap lolled forward and sideways on the performer’s now ruby ear, to the jeopardy of the whole trio, Then the crash of applause and the laughter, not of derision, but of hystoric joy, on the part of his admirers. And the expression of Mr. John! Blowing with a sense of accomplishment as if he had dutifully administered a castigation long overdue. The whole performance had really been a musical treat, and none seemed more pleased with the satisfaction Mr. Brown’s part in it had afforded both himself and his admirers than the talented doctor and his daughter.