Anecdotes of Great Musicians/Anecdote 70
70.—ROSSINI HEARING THE IMPOSSIBLE.
The modern flute as perfected by Böhm is a very different instrument from that used prior to 1835. The flute of former days, like the harp of olden time, was effective only in certain keys; but, while the harp could be tuned so as to reach other keys, the flute was more limited in this respect. In fact, there were some scales that were so difficult to play on the flute that they were practicably impossible to conquer. In certain other keys there were trills and other ornaments that no sane composer would have thought of writing, as they certainly would not have been played.
Böhm invented a system of keys and an arrangement of fingering which made all scales, trills, runs, and arpeggios possible, and not only possible, but brought them all to a practically equal degree of difficulty. Böhm made journeys to London and Paris to introduce his improvements; and it was at the latter place that he sought to obtain the patronage of Rossini, who was then one of the prominent figures of the musical world.
As Rossini was in his dressing-room shaving himself, Böhm was instructed to remain in an adjoining room. Thinking to predispose the master in favor of his instrument, he proceeded to play all manner of scales, arpeggios, trills, and roulades in various keys, with an agility which was almost unheard of; but not content with this he suddenly dashed into the key of D flat, in which key it had been impossible to play with such agility and brilliancy. Rossini could stand it no longer, but rushed out of his dressing room, wigless, and his face covered with lather, and cried in great excitement:—
"You cannot play that!"
"But I am playing it," responded the inventor calmly.
"I don't care if you are," retorted the composer furiously, "it is utterly impossible."
But Rossini was finally convinced, and the Böhm flute is the one now used by virtuosi the world over.