Memories: an autobiography

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

43-4

text excerpt

I do not remember if it
was in this year or in 1843 that the great pianist
Thalberg was in London during the summer months,
but I do distinctly remember playing to him his
celebrated study on repeated notes in A minor, in
the front drawing-room of the old Hanover Square
Rooms, and the eminent virtuoso having his hand on
my shoulder, indicating by increased pressure when
he wanted a crescendo, a ritardando, or any of the
other nuances which give to interpretation its 
greatest charm. I was then a mere boy, and
knew not nervousness, so perhaps I acquitted
myself fairly well. At any rate, at the conclusion
of the piece the composer warmly praised me.

I do not remember if it was in this year or in 1843 that the great pianist Thalberg was in London during the summer months, but I do distinctly remember playing to him his celebrated study on repeated notes in A minor, in the front drawing-room of the old Hanover Square Rooms, and the eminent virtuoso having his hand on my shoulder, indicating by increased pressure when he wanted a crescendo, a ritardando, or any of the other nuances which give to interpretation its greatest charm. I was then a mere boy, and knew not nervousness, so perhaps I acquitted myself fairly well. At any rate, at the conclusion of the piece the composer warmly praised me.

excerpt from 'Memories: an autobiography' pp. 43-4 (116 words)

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1436632591149