Walker-My_Musical_Ex.. - Walter Cosand

Srj? STERNDALE BENNETT
the slightest impression that he in any way doubted
the possibility of our friend being all we had described
him to be, observed, with that gentleness which carries
with it far more conviction to the mind of the hearer
than any strongly and dogmatically expressed opinion
of dissent :
' I can quite believe that persons of talent
may be able to find out a great deal for themselves
without the help of a teacher. There can be no
doubt that such do often succeed in doing many
things admirably without having had any instruction.
Yet, for all that, I think" (and here Sterndale
Bennett made a slight pause before continuing) ' that
sooner or later you are sure to discover great gaps in
the acquirements — the knowledge of anyone who
has had no regular schooling.'
Speaking again of the difference between amateurs
are the servants
and professionals, he observed, ' We
of the public, and the public wishes to be surjuised as
well as pleased, and for this reason the artist is often
tempted to play a piece much faster than the
composer ever intended. With an amateur it is
different : he can, if he irill, adhere rigidly to the
cjaiposer's intentions, whereas the artist cannot
invariably do so.'
This was in reply to a question of mme regarding a
piece which I had the evening before heard played by
an artist of eminence. One movement had been
taken at nearly double the time which Sterndale
Bennett had in a previous lesson indicated to me.