The musical world knows Amsterdam for its topflight Concertgebouw Orchestra; Amsterdammers' own musical affections center more mundanely on their pierementen, the oversized (10-ft.-high), richly painted barrel organs that trundle through the city streets from dawn to sundown. They furnish the common man's music: the oompah of his visions, the clanging of his troubles, the tra-la-la of his frolicking loves. Some notable feature of design or decoration gives them distinctive names: "Big Belly," "Buffalo," "Water Jug," "Rug Beater," "Cement Mixer" (for an oversized grinding wheel).
Since these gaudy monsters make a lot of noise, they are ordinarily subject to strict police regulations. Only...
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