Dancing on a Glass Harmonica with Tchaikovsky

One of the most unusual sounding of all musical instruments is the glass harmonica.  There are various forms, from simply a set of glasses filled with water, to more elaborate mechanical devices such as one invented by Benjamin Franklin.  The  ethereal sound is produced by rubbing the rim of the glasses or bowls. There is a story that Peter Tchaikovsky called for a glass harmonica for the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy in the first draft of The Nutcracker, but it turned out to be for a glass xylophone instead.  When he heard the newly invented celesta in Paris, he incorporated it into the score instead for the ballet's first performance in 1892, and that's what we usually hear today. Recently, I was made aware of a performance of the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy using the most basic form of the glass harmonica (or glass harp), consisting of wine glasses filled with varying levels of water and played by rubbing the rims.  The performer here produces a convincing interpretation of this delicate music from the great ballet: http://youtu.be/EgoaehDEBrU As if that isn't enough of a challenge, he goes on to play J. S. Bach's great solo organ masterpiece, the Toccata and Fugue in D minor--the whole thing! http://youtu.be/XKRj-T4l-e8 It's an amazing display of ability, but I find the Tchaikovsky the real gem.