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Haydn, meanwhile, had been rehearsing the symphony for his
opening concert. Two points are perhaps worth noting here: First,
the size and strength of the Salomon Orchestra; and second, the
fact that Haydn did not, as every conductor does now, direct his
forces, baton in hand. The orchestra numbered between thirty-five
and forty performers--a very small company compared with our Handel
Festival and Richter Orchestras, but in Haydn's time regarded as
quite sufficiently strong. There were sixteen violins, four tenors,
three 'celli, four double basses, flutes, oboes, bassoons, trumpets
and drums.
Salomon played the first violin and led the orchestra, and
Haydn sat at the harpsichord, keeping the band together by
an occasional chord or two, as the practice then was. Great
composers have not always been great conductors, but Haydn
had a winning way with his band, and generally succeeded in
getting what he wanted.
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