One might believe one's self in the Dark Ages, on witnessing such an exhibition of Gothish economy.
A faithful, well-colored, clever interpretation of a modern work, even when confided to artists of a higher order, can only be obtained, I firmly believe, by partial rehearsals. Each part of a chorus should be studied singly until it is thoroughly known, before combining it with the others. The same step should be taken with regard to the orchestra, for a symphony at all complicated. The violins should first be practised alone; the violas and basses by themselves; the wooden wind instruments (with a small band of stringed instruments, to fill in the rests, and accustom the wind instruments to the points of re-entrance) and the brass instruments the same; and very often it is necessary to practise the instruments of percussion alone; and lastly, the harps, if they be numerous. The studies in combination are then far more profitable, and more rapid; and there is then good hope of attaining fidelity of interpretation, now, alas, but too rare.
The performances obtained by the old method of study are merely _approaches_ to achievement; beneath which so very many masterpieces have succumbed. The superintending conductor, after the butchering of a master, none the less serenely lays down his stick with a satisfied smile; and if some few misgivings remain with him as to the mode in which he has fulfilled his task, should no one venture at the close to dispute its accomplishment, he murmurs aside: "Bah! væ victis!"
The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first line is the original line, the second the corrected one.
them by the sudden appearance of the unexcepted rhythm, contradicted them by the sudden appearance of the unexpected rhythm, contradicted
conduct may conduct a considerable number of performers alone, all conductor may conduct a considerable number of performers alone, all
eyes then being able to look towards him. Neverthless, the employment eyes then being able to look towards him. Nevertheless, the employment
violas, in the middle, between the two groups of violins; the flutes violas, in the middle, between the two groups of violins; the flutes,