and the previous set were also repeated, along with some new
quartets. Of the many contemporary notices of the period, perhaps the
most interesting is that which appears in the Journal of Luxury and
Fashion, published at Weimar in July 1794. It is in the form of a London
letter, written on March 25, under the heading of "On the Present State
and Fashion of Music in England." After speaking of Salomon's efforts
on behalf of classical music and of the praise due to him for his
performance of the quartets of "our old favourite, Haydn," the writer
continues: "But what would you now say to his new symphonies composed
expressly for these concerts, and directed by himself at the piano? It
is truly wonderful what sublime and august thoughts this master weaves
into his works. Passages often occur which render it impossible to
listen to them without becoming excited. We are altogether carried
away by admiration, and forced to applaud with hand and mouth. This is
especially the case with Frenchmen, of whom we have so many here that
all public places are filled with them. You know that they have great
sensibility, and cannot restrain their transports, so that in the midst
of the finest passages in soft adagios they clap their hands in loud
applause and thus mar the effect. In every symphony of Haydn the adagio
or andante is sure to be repeated each time, after the most vehement
encores. The worthy Haydn, whose personal acquaintance I highly value,
conducts himself on these occasions in the most modest manner. He is
indeed a good-hearted, candid, honest man, esteemed and beloved by all."

Several notable incidents occurred at the Salomon Concerts. It has been
remarked, as "an event of some interest in musical history," that Haydn
and Wilhelm Cramer appeared together at one concert, Cramer as leader of
the orchestra, Haydn conducting from the pianoforte. But Cramer was
not a genius of the first rank--his compositions are of the slightest
importance--and there was nothing singular about his appearing along
with Haydn. He had been leader at the Handel Festivals at Westminster
Abbey in 1784 and 1787, and was just the man to be engaged for an
enterprise like that of Salomon's.

A "Smart" Drummer

An anecdote told of Haydn in connection with one of the rehearsals is
better worth noting. The drummer was found to be absent. "Can anyone
here play the drum?" inquired Haydn, looking round from his seat at the
piano. "I can," promptly replied