mahlerfoudation

The conductor of today's performance, in fullest conviction against the insinuation that he somehow made some arbitrary change in instrumentation. he has on the contrary made every effort in the whole and the individual matters to follow the most minor directions and presoriptions of the master (beethoven), and not let anything get lost of his intentions which are often hidden from the superficial glance. He (the conductor) has on the other hand used all the advantages of the modern orchestra and especially all the means we have to a much more mature degree, in order not to hide the intertions of Beethoven in an confusing mass of sound, but to bring them into sounding life with an exactness whick follows the master into the smallest detail (mit bis in das kleinste pietaetvoller Genauigkeit) . 

He feels it his duty, considering the complex of the string instruments whick recently has increased so tremendously, to also double the woodwinds and the horns but by no means to give a new voice to these helpers. 

Incidentally, he can point out that with this he is only following the custom which his predecessor in this position has always used. He rejects decisively the accusation that he has proceeded carelessly in his interpretation and explanation of Beethoven's notations, and he offers to prove by means of the  partitur that with every minutest departure from the traditional custom, he has proceeded from the traditional custom, he has proceeded from urgent need and in all his interpretation has used the necessary moderation which the veneration for the master and his wishes demands.