1799—Vienna, Austria

According to eyewitness G. J. Berwald, a performance of Haydn’s Creation is conducted by the composer at the Imperial Burgtheater: “When we entered, we saw that the stage proper was set up in the form of an amphitheater. Down below at the forte-piano sat Kapellmeister Weigl, surrounded by the vocal soloists, the chorus, a violoncello and a double bass [as continuo]. At one higher level stood Haydn himself with his conductor’s baton. Still on a higher level on one side were the first violins, led by Paul Wranitzky and on the other the second violins, led by his brother Anton Wranitzky. In the center: winds and double basses. In the wings, more double basses; on higher levels the wind instruments, and at the very top: trumpets, kettledrums and trombones. That was the disposition of the orchestra, which, together with the chorus, numbered some 400 persons. The whole [performance] went off wonderfully” (Bowles, Timpani 470).

late 1700s—Use of crooks gradually disappears. Fixed tubular braces replace flat detachable stays.