A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Points
POINTS. A term applied, in modern Music, to the opening notes of the Subject of a Fugue, or other important Motivo, to which it is necessary that the attention of the Performer should be particularly directed by the Conductor.
For instance, one of the most striking Subjects in the 'Hallelujah Chorus,' is that adapted to the words 'For the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth.' After this has been twice enuntiated by the whole body of Voices, in unison, the 'Point' is taken up at the 22nd Bar by the Sopranos, at the 25th by the Tenors and Basses in unison, and at the 29th, by the Altos and Tenors. These, then, are three of the most important 'Points' in the Hallelujah Chorus.
The term 'Point' is also applicable to features of quite another kind. Thus, the entrance of e Horns in the First Movement of the Overture to 'Der Freischütz,' and that of the First Clarinet at the 60th Bar of the Molto Vivace, are 'Points' of such vital importance that a careless reading on the part of their interpreters would entirely fail to convey the Composer's meaning, and render the performance spiritless and uninteresting to the last degree.
These remarks concern, not only the performance of Orchestral and Church Music. They apply, with equal force, to Solo Performances of every kind: to Pianoforte Sonatas, and Organ Fugues, Violin Concertos, and Solos for the Flute or Oboe, these, the Performer, having no Conductor prompt him, must think for himself, and the success of his performance will depend entirely upon the amount of his capacity for doing so.