Book Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1865 edition. Excerpt: ... on the following evening, Spohr found all the musical pieces so carefully studied and in accordance with all his intentions, that he could look forward with pleasing certainty to its performance on the next evening, and the more so, as the two directors of music, Grund and Bott, felt an especial pleasure in resuming their former places under the direction of their master, as co-operating violinists in the orchestra, and in thus giving him the most powerful support. The "Meininger Tagehlatt" makes mention of the concert in the following terms: "Upon the stage, between branches of palm and laurel, was placed a collossal bust of Spohr. The conductor's desk had been decorated by female hands with ingenious devices and garlands of flowers. The house, filled to overflowing, awaited in breathless suspense the appearance of the famed old master. 'He comes!'.... was whispered through the spacious house, and a thousand - tongued welcome of joy greeted the honoured man. In a few minutes afterwards he had lifted the conductor's baton -- a solemn silence immediately ensued; and in a few moments the first notes of the symphony "Die Weihe der Tone" resounded. The eyes of all were directed to the Nestor of the science of music, who brought to our mind the Olympian Jove -- omnia supercilio moventis. All the orchestral assistants felt the importance of the moment, and lent their most efficient aid. The same calm which everywhere breathes through the works of this musician was seen also in his conducting. Not the least fraction of a beat was thrown away -- in all and everywhere, were seen the director of orchestra and the musicians, as a grand impersonated whole, achieving in every part a fresh triumph. The honoured poet of sweet sounds directed besides...