STAGE FRIGHT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2338, 3 February 1913, Page 7

STAGE FRIGHT.

TSCHAIKOWSKI'S FIRST APPEARANCE. ,„,^- Among the trials of the public speaker none is quite so demoralising as "stage fright." No one can prepare himself against it ; for it has the most marvellous and wicked way of coming upon one at the most unexpected moments and in tho most unexpected ways. It is related of Tschaikowski that upon has first public appearance as conductor he literally knew not what he was doing. Just before coming to the desk ho told a friend of his great surprise at not being "in the least degree nervous." But at the desk two minutes after he looked like a man in some desperate situation. Apparently his composition was blotted out of his mind ; he did not see the score before him, and gave all thj leads at the wrong moment to the wrong instruments. Fortunately the band knew the music so well that they paid no attention whatever to the conductor, but,laughing in their sleeves, got through the music very credibly in spite >. t him.

Afterward Tschaikowski said that in his terror he had a feeling that his head would fall off his shoulders unless he, held it tightly in position. Such an extreme is, of course, deplorable ; but, on the other hand, a man who does not feel concerned on a critical occasion is not likely t be equal to the occasion.—"Montreal Standard."