Books › the history of the violin, 1864 › scan 199
Scan 199
the history of the violin, 1864
4 lines. Read by computer on 28 September 2026. Printed page 177. See the scan on archive.org.
1and so down to the Musical Society of London, which, if it carries out the regulations on which it is founded, promises to advance the science, to the improvement and advantage of the amateur and the professor; and nothing can be more finished than the performance of the accomplished orchestra under its very skilful conductor Mr. Alfred Mellon. At one of the earlier concerts in 1722, the celebrated Carbonelli played no less than two concertos, and one solo; while a concerto on the bass-violin was played by a performer called Pippo.
3The component parts of an orchestra, even towards the end of the last century, were very different from those at present; several instruments, indeed, now in use, were then unknown. For instance, in 1789, the orchestra at the Academy of Ancient Music, consisted of 1 organ, 14 violins, Barthelemon being the first; 4 violas, 3 haut-boys, 2 trumpets, 2 horns, 1 drum, 4 violoncellos, 2 double-basses, and 3 bassoons. Let us put in contrast the orchestra of the Musical Society of London on 28th January, 1863; for although the numbers are double, the proportions of the instruments can be readily seen. Mr. Alfred Mellon conductor; 16 first violins, Blagrove and Sainton principals; 16 second violins, William Watson principal; 10 violas, R. Blagrove and Webb principals; 10 violoncellos, Paque principal; 9 double-basses, Howell principal; 2 flutes, 1 piccolo, 2 oboes, 2 clarionets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones, 1 ophicleide, 2 cornets, 1 drum, 1 bass-drum and cymbals, 1 side-drum, 1 triangle, 2 harps. The band of the Royal Italian Opera, Covent Garden, for 1862, which is not to be surpassed, consisted of Signor Costa conductor; 16 first violins, Sainton principal; 16 second violins, Willey principal; 10 violas, Doyle principal; 11 violoncellos, Lucas principal; 11 double-basses, Howell principal;
The computer misreads some letters and numbers. Where a name matters to you, read the scan.