A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Leader

by George Grove

LEADER. The chief of the first violins is the leader of the orchestra, the Concertmeister of the Germans, and Chef d'attaque of the French. He is close to the conductor's left hand. The position is a most important one, as the animation and 'attack' of the band depend in great measure on the leader. The great precision and force of the Gewandhaus orchestra, for instance, is said to have been mainly due to David being for so long at the head of them.

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