The orchestra and its instruments

by Esther Singleton

And all unlook’d for from your highness’ mouth.

The language I have learn’d these forty years,

My native English, now I must forego:

And now my tongue’s use is to me no more

Than an unstringed viol, or a harp;

Or like a cunning instrument cased up,

Or, being open, put into his hands

That knows no touch to tune the harmony.”

In addition to the rich and varied instrumental material, we have ninety personalities possessed of brains, emotions and artistic ideals and aspirations.

We call the Orchestra an instrument, or even a machine; but let us think for a moment of these intelligent personalities behind their instruments, or merged into their instruments, and we shall realize what a sensitive organization a Symphony Orchestra is.