This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt: ...a success from the start. The pupils were interested, even enthusiastic. The music played, as well as the presence of the 'cellists and violinists, cured the old trouble of indifference at once. In the presence of so many players, the piano students were ashamed to be the cause of delay or to exhibit inability, and it is surprising how that seemed to sharpen their wits. Finally, the first-year ensemble work of the regular four-year course students was put into the hands of an assistant. This assistant now takes the students in classes of four, using two pianos and eight-hand arrangements. The advantage of playing with stringed instruments is lacking in this preliminary work, but the students are taught to recognize signatures quickly, to count any number of bars of rest accurately, using the orchestral player's method, are shown the meaning of many signs appearing in orchestral music which are seldom met with in ordinary piano literature, are shown how to make an approximate estimate of any metronome mark, and are given some training in thinking the long unit in allegro movements. They go to the assistant twice a week during their first year, so that, when they come to me in their second year, they are by no means helpless. During the remaining years of their course they come to me and we go through the following works in about the order named. The first season is devoted to Haydn's symphonies, of which there are twelve in the Heinrichshofen edition, arranged by Burchard, for four hands, violin and 'cello. There are three or four more which may be used with a two-hand piano arrangement and the regular Breitkopf & Hartel orchestra parts for the strings. Of the twelve arranged by Burchard, the second six are the best to begin with. The...