In response to the question posed by Mark Singleton, MMD 180326, 'What
would you say to someone as to why they should listen to a music box,'
I would answer with another question: 'Why listen to any musical
instrument?'

It is interesting how often the fact is overlooked that a musical box
is first and foremost a musical instrument.  People see a machine.
Why listen to a piano, or an oboe, or (name any other instrument).
Presumably these conventional, manually played instruments, are
listened to primarily because people like music, or possibly, more
specifically, they enjoy hearing music played in a particular way.

A good-sounding musical box, in good playing condition, containing
well-arranged tunes is a musical delight.  It can render any number
of well-known tunes in its own characteristic and unique way.

My personal perspective is that one of my earliest musical recollections
is the sense of awe I had on hearing Tchaikovsky's 'Dance of the Sugar
Plum Fairy' played on the celesta -- which at the end of the day
consists of metal plates which are struck to produce the notes.  It is
not such a great leap to listening to music created by plucking a metal
tooth, and I sense that subliminally I recall that child's sense of awe
every time I hear a piece of music on a musical box.

A different sense of awe is now generated when I hear an especially
intricate arrangement or well-interpreted piece of music on a musical
box.  Not only does it sound good, but additionally, one has to admire
the skill of the arranger and the box manufacturer.  If we can laud
certain human soloists, why should we admire any-the-less a well
put-together box?

Alison Biden - MBSGB