It is quite astonishing what can be achieved by a crack orchestra (in this case the RPO during the mid-1950s) in the face of complete adversity.
HERE they are being rehearsed in some Haydn symphonies - first an extended rehearsal of portions of Haydn's Symphony no. 100 ('Military'), in which the conductor suggests some refinements to the instrumentation of the percussion parts.
Next comes a portion of Symphony no. 101 ('The Clock'), followed by a snatch of no. 104 ('London'). In the latter, the conductor deliberately sets about changing the rhythm of the main theme, but then complains that it is never played 'together' - and it is left to the Leader to sort out the rhythm (i.e. to be played
exactly in the rhythm notated) before the conductor proclaims "That's it!".
It is amazing what can be achieved when confronted by an apparently tone-deaf Edwardian drunkard!
Baziron
