NOT EVERYONE KNOWS THIS… DECEMBER 22, 1808
By John Chaput John Chaput was raised in Montreal, has lived in Western Canada for about 45 years, and is seriously thinking about settling down there. A retired journalist and editor, he is the author of three books about Saskatchewan sports history. He is also an amateur actor and has won two awards for his performances at Theatre Saskatchewan festivals.
In what must have been the most prolific package of
DECEMBER 21, 1891
musical composition offered in one premiere, Ludwig
An instructor of physical education at the YMCA
van Beethoven presents a four-hour concert in Vienna
International Training School (now Springfield
consisting almost entirely of new material. The
College) in Springfield, Mass., has the perfect number
program begins with the Sixth (“Pastoral”) Symphony,
of students in his class – 18 – for a game of baseball.
continues with a soprano aria, the “Gloria” from the
Too bad it’s December. So, as he has done several
Mass in C minor, and the Fourth Piano Concerto, with
times before, Canadian-born Dr. James Naismith
Beethoven himself as soloist. And so ended ... the
improvises a new game, which leads to grumbling
first half. After intermission came the powerful Fifth
among the class. Undaunted, Naismith mounts peach
Symphony, the “Sanctus” from the Mass in C minor, a
baskets at opposite ends of the gymnasium, gives
Beethoven piano improvisation, and, finally, his Choral
them a soccer ball, splits the young men into two
Fantasy. Not everyone knows this, but the incredible
teams of nine, draws up some rules, and the game of
package of masterworks was a flop. Cold weather
basketball is born. Not everyone knows this, but the
made the Theatre an der Wien uncomfortable and
final score of the game was 1-0 and for at least one
the orchestra, which had put in little rehearsal time,
day a certain William R. Chase was the sport’s all-time
performed so haphazardly that the Choral Fantasy
leading scorer. Two things can be safely assumed:
had to be stopped and restarted. (So what? Just listen
first, the point likely was scored on a layup; second,
to the first movements of the Fifth Symphony and
Mr. Chase probably spent the rest of his life insisting it
Fourth Piano Concerto and marvel at what Beethoven
was either a soft 30-foot jumper or a two-handed dunk
could produce out of a simple four-note sequence.)
with opponents hanging off of each arm.
SIDEONE DECEMBER 2020
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