Scan 98
The American history and encyclopedia of music, 1910
6 lines. Read by computer on 11 September 2026. Printed page 66. See the scan on archive.org.
1acter of the movement at once shows that a slower allegro is intended than in some other allegro movements, for instance, the allegro in the second movement of the same quartet. Often the qualifying expressions which accompany the principal tempo designation are of greater importance than the designation itself. I found a particularly interesting example of this when I first produced Brahms' Clarinet Quintet. The second movement contains a middle part marked "presto ma con sentimento." At first sight this was extremely puzzling and seemingly contradictory, for when played as a real presto, it was impossible to obtain the "sentimento" in the music. If, on the other hand, the qualifying term be emphasized the real presto character is lost. I, therefore, took the liberty of modifying the presto a little in order to bring out the expressive character of the movement.
3The next summer vacation I spent in Ischl, Austria, where I frequently met Brahms. One day while dining together, in the company of Nikisch, Steinbach and Muhlfeld (the famous clarinet player who was the first to play the above quintet, and who helped introduce it in all the principal cities of Germany) Brahms suggested that we play the composition for him. The proposal was readily and gladly accepted as may be imagined. While going to my home the presto ma con sentimento movement was uppermost in my mind. I naturally did not like to ask Brahms about the tempo, and yet it would have been awkward for the first violin, which begins with the theme, to take another tempo than that of the composer, in the presence of the composer himself. Imagine my relief, when just before entering my home, Muhlfeld said to me, 'You know, the master does not wish the presto ma con sentimento played too fast.'
5The leader is not only responsible for the quality of the performance, but he should also exercise great care in the arrangement of the program.
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