Funeral oration on the death of Hon. Daniel Webster, delivered at a commemoration in the Presbyterian church, Ballston Spa, N.Y., Monday evening, November 8, 1852

If program selections were quickly changed or if someone was incapacitated, a musician might be called upon to playa score with which they were unfamiliar. Also the Eroica. If, in the middle of a concert, news was received of the death of a world-renowned figure, the music was immediately stopped at the end of the movement in progress and the conductor made the announcement while the librarian passed out the score for the Eroica, the Funeral March. Then the hall would remain breathlessly silent while the conductor turned and waited for the musicians to open their music. Then the rolling thunder of the dirge would sound. It was always a gripping moment. And it couldn't be spoiled because someone in the orchestra wasn't familiar with the Eroica and also couldn't sight read. And number six would be the one to absolutely shatter the majesty of the moment. Number six was far below the standard of a lead musician in sight reading. The accompanist had stopped playing and was sitting loosely on the bench and trying to look casual and keep his eyes off her ...»