In 1874, Cavaillé-Coll took me to inaugurate the very beautiful Sheffield organ.There were organ recitals for a week, and people came from all over to hear it. Unfortunately, the organ has apparently been spoiled by raising its wind pressure—a mania that is rampant in England. The correct pressure of the Sheffield organ has not been respected, and following the current fashion, under the pretext of forcing the sound, the pressure has been increased to unjustifiable proportions.

The first performance of the Trio in B-flat [op. 19] dates back to March 1874; I played it everywhere with Martin Marsick and Jules Delsart. In 1875, I wrote several cello pieces for Delsart. My first serious work, following the established formula, was the Concerto in F, for Piano and Orchestra [op. 39, 1876], which made a great effect on November 19, 1876, at the Châtelet under the baton of Édouard Colonne and the fingers of Louis Diémer, who was then professor at the Conservatory and endowed with an incomparable technique. It was a great success. Diémer, who had been kind enough to take the risk, was recalled three times. Everyone knows the number of brilliant pupils the maître trained.

I wrote a Violin Concerto [op. 33, 1877] for Martin Marsick, a work that was more mechanical than melodic. This concerto was not published, and since then I have always intended to resume work on it one day according to my fancy. Like the public, I immediately noticed its flaws.