EXTRACTS FROM DIARY KEPT BY SIR CHARLES HALLÉ IN THE YEARS 1855–6

[Translated from the German]

December 12, 1855.

Rehearsal at the Concert Hall in the evening. Haydn's B Major Symphony, Overture, Ossian, Gade, the second movement of Berlioz's Symphony, “Harold in Italy’ (‘Marche des Pélerins’), and a triumphal march by Best, for next week's concert. Tolerably satisfied with the orchestra, but still further convinced of the necessity of the intended reforms. Gade's overture is pretty and shows good intentions, but is wanting in strength and in breadth of idea. In the present dearth, however, its appearance must be accepted with thankfulness. Berlioz's movement carried me back to the dear old days, and therefore, perhaps, gave me exceptional pleasure. But how fresh, even at the present day, is the old master's, Haydn's, Symphony!

December 18, 1855.

The necessity of engaging a trumpet-player for to-morrow evening's concert took me to the theatre, where a pantomime rehearsal was going on. Knowles, in his usual abrupt manner, spoke to me of a plan which certainly deserves consideration. He proposed that I should ask the committee of the New Free Trade Hall if, and on what terms, they would let it to me for a year, or for a shorter or longer period, and that he and I should make use of it together.