He requested Beethoven to make notes upon paper regarding themetronomic marks of speed at which the composition should be played.
Nevertheless, Maelzel, who had a strong personality, succeeded in inducing Beethoven to put metronomic markings upon several of his compositions.
Although in most cases the tempo of a given composition is now indicated by means of the metronomic markings, the judgment of the player must also be brought frequently into requisition.
Klindworth gives 72 to the half note as his metronomic marking, Riemann only 60--which is too slow--while Klindworth contents himself by marking a simple Vivace.
The metronomic marking is practically the same in all editions, 152 to the quarter notes.
The averagemetronomic marking is sixty-nine to the half.
There is also some editorial differences in the metronomic markings, Mikuli being, according to Kullak, too slow.
Riemann, of course, is different: [Musical score excerpt] The metronomic markings are about the same in all editions.
Remember, this study is a nocturne, and even the accepted metronomic markings in most editions, 76 to the quarter, are not too slow; they might even be slower.
In his notes to the F major study Theodor Kullak expatiates at length upon his favorite idea that Chopin must not be played according to his metronomic markings.
As soon as my strength allows you shall receive the metronomic marks for the Mass, for I am just in the period when the fourth operation is about to be performed.
I enclose for the Philharmonic Society a metronomic list of the movements of my ninth Symphony.
Illustration: Fac-simile of Metronomic times for "Elijah" in Mendelssohn's handwriting.
Vienna and London editions; the very sight of them occasions surprise: but to hear these Sonatas played according to the metronomic signs affixed to them, leads one to wish that all piano-forte metronomers were put under the ban.
I cannot calmly submit to be put under this ban, but rather stand up and defend my metronomic Signs of the Op.
In the Vienna edition of the Sonata in E flat major, the metronomic directions are as follow:-- I.
Moscheles, the same Sonata has affixed to it the following metronomic directions:-- I.
The metronomic sign may be compared to a paragraph of a code of laws which is cited as an authority for the decision in some particular case.
However, upon reflection, he acknowledged that the conductor had duly observed the metronomic sign affixed to the movement, but that he had not attended to Matheson's doctrine.
Maelzel's metronome; and it is only to the 7th and 9th Symphonies that the metronomic signs can, with positive certainty, be said to have been given by Beethoven.
A correct metronomic direction leads the intelligent musician by the right path into the spirit of the music; whilst an erroneous indication of the time leads him very far astray in his endeavours to seize that spirit.
By way of excepting my self from the sweeping censure here bestowed upon all who have attempted to fix the metronomic signs to Beethoven's compositions, I hope I may be permitted to state, that in superintending for Messrs.
