Carrots, Celery Strike a Chord in London

Reuters ^ | Tuesday, February 18, 2003

[Willie Green]

For education and discussion only. Not for commercial use.

LONDON (Reuters) - Mozart will be turning in his grave this week when a Viennese orchestra descends on London to make a meal out of playing the carrot.

The First Vienna Vegetable Orchestra says it will cook up a storm with its carrot flutes, leek violins, celery bongos and aubergine cymbals.

Supported by the occasional use of kitchen utensils such as spoons and food processors, the orchestra has been a hit in its hometown Vienna.

The inspiration for veggie music came from listening to the sound of vegetables being chopped.

Before each performance, the band tours local markets to find fresh vegetables of just the right caliber and quality.

The gurkophone is one of their classics, made from a hollowed cucumber, a pepper and a carrot.

Once the instruments are worn out, the musicians, and a conductor who doubles as cook, toss each one into a stewpot to make soup -- to be enjoyed by the audience after the concert.

The orchestra is due to play at the Purcell Room at London's South Bank arts complex Tuesday and Wednesday. A taste of their music is on Web Site www.gemueseorchester.org.

[Willie Green]

There's nothing harder to keep in tune than a rutabaga.

[ricpic]

You could starve waiting for a melody.