
Piano
early 20th century, Pleyel
Video (extract) : Segundo de Chomón (1871-1929),
En avant la musique, 1907
Pathé Frères
Gaumont Pathé Archives
Piano
This film is a parody of ‘Le mélomane’ by Méliès.
A conductor magically makes eight musicians appear as miniature characters perched on his baton. They wave, disappear and reappear on stage. The brass band marches on, then the musicians appear, tiny, at the heart of the notes of the score. For a brief moment, we see the happy faces of each of the musicians. Back on stage, the band is divided in two by the conductor and the four male figures are lined up in front of a wall with a giant staff overhead. The conductor takes hold of each of their heads, unties them and sends them to hang on the staff.


