Life and letters of Sir Charles Hallé; being an autobiography (1819-1860)

urn:iso:std:iso:639:ed-3:eng

5-6

text excerpt

My functions at the subscription concerts were of a different nature. I had taught myself the violin up to a certain degree, in the hope of being enrolled as an amateur second violin, but it so happened that the gentleman who played the kettle-drums left the town, and I, although seven years old, was considered so good a time- keeper that my father promoted me to that important and dangerous post. And for eight years did I hold it, though not altogether to my credit ; for although I found no difficulty in coming in at the right time, perhaps on the third beat after fifty-seven bars' rest, I could never accomplish a satisfactory roll, hard as I laboured at it. The kettle-drum is not exactly an instrument suited to a drawing-room, so I could get no practice, and I remember even now how I envied and admired the drummers of any military band that passed through our town, recognising them by far my superiors.

excerpt from 'Life and letters of Sir Charles Hallé; being an autobiography (1819-1860)' pp. 5-6 (164 words)

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1426866679584