Scan 460
The violin: its famous makers and their imitators, 1875
9 lines. Read by computer on 1 October 2026. Printed page 308. See the scan on archive.org.
1Double Bass, which is now in this house, and I believe the only one of that make in England, and consequently highly prized by,
3"Yours truly,
4"Mr. Hart." "SAMUEL APPLEBY.
6PLEASURES OF IMAGINATION.
8A lady belonging to Covent Garden Theatre, who had never heard Paganini, requested leave to be present at one of the rehearsals of his concerts. It happened that Paganini did not bring his Violin with him, but borrowed one from a member of the orchestra, and instead of playing, made a kind of pizzacato obbligato. After the rehearsal was finished, the lady addressed Mr. Cooke; "Oh dear! Mr. Cooke, what a wonderful man he is! I declare, I may say, that till this morning I never knew what music was capable of." Cooke replied, "Indeed, madam, he is truly wonderful; but allow me to observe that on this occasion you are indebted rather to your imagination than your ears for the delight you have experienced." "How, Mr. Cooke?" "Why, madam, this morning Paganini has not played at all—he has not even touched a bow." "Extraordinary!" exclaimed the lady; "I am more than ever confirmed in my opinion of him; for if without playing he can affect in such a manner, how much more wonderful are the sensations he must produce when he does play!"
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