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LETTER X.
ON EXTEMPORANEOUS PERFORMANCE.
Dear Miss Cecilia,
You are aware that music is in some measure a species of language, by which may be expressed those passions and feelings with which the mind is burthened or affected.
It is also known to you that we are able to play on any musical instrument, and more particularly on the pianoforte, much which has neither been written down before, nor previously prepared or studied, but which is merely the fruit of a momentary and accidental inspiration. This is called extemporizing.
Such extemporaneous performances cannot naturally, and indeed ought not to assume the strict forms of written compositions; nay, the very freedom and inartificial nature of such productions gives them a peculiar charm; and many celebrated masters, such as Beethoven and Hummel, have particularly distinguished themselves in this art.
Although, for this purpose, and indeed for music in general, a certain share of natural
