Those who were present at the rehearsal say that the Finale is the most successful movement (probably because it is easily intelligible).  How it will sound with the orchestra I cannot tell you till next Wednesday, when I shall play the Concerto for the first time in this guise.  To-morrow I shall have another rehearsal with quartet.

To a rehearsal with full orchestra, except trumpets and drums (on September 22, 1830), he invited Kurpinski, Soliva, and the select musical world of Warsaw, in whose judgment, however, he professes to have little confidence.  Still, he is curious to know how—­

the Capellmeister [Kurpinski] will look at the Italian [Soliva], Czapek at Kessler, Filipeus at Dobrzynski, Molsdorf at Kaczynski, Ledoux at Count Sohyk, and Mr. P. at us all.  It has never before occurred that all these gentlemen have been assembled in one place; I alone shall succeed in this, and I do it only out of curiosity!

The musicians in this company, among whom are Poles, Czechs, Germans, Italians, &c., give us a good idea of the mixed character of the musical world of Warsaw, which was not unlike what the musical world of London is still in our day.  From the above remark we see that Chopin had neither much respect nor affection for his fellow-musicians; indeed, there is not the slightest sign in his letters that an intimacy existed between him and any one of them.  The rehearsals of the Concerto keep Chopin pretty busy, and his head is full of the composition.  In the same letter from which I quoted last we find the following passage:—­

I heartily beg your pardon for my hasty letter of to-day; I have still to run quickly to Elsner in order to make sure that he will come to the rehearsal.  Then I have also to provide the desks and mutes, which I had yesterday totally forgotten; without the latter the Adagio would be wholly insignificant, and its success doubtful.  The Rondo is effective, the first Allegro vigorous.  Cursed self-love!  And if it is anyone’s fault that I am conceited it is yours, egoist; he who associates with such a person becomes like him.  But in one point I am as yet unlike you.  I can never make up my mind quickly.  But I have the firm will and the secret intention actually to depart on Saturday week, without pardon, and in spite of lamentations, tears, and complaints.  My music in the trunk, a certain ribbon on my heart, my soul full of anxiety:  thus into the post-chaise.  To be sure, everywhere in the town tears will flow in streams:  from Copernicus to the fountain, from the bank to the column of King Sigismund; but I shall be cold and unfeeling as a stone, and laugh at all those who wish to take such a heart-rending farewell of me!

After the rehearsal of the Concerto with orchestra, which evidently made a good impression upon the much-despised musical world of Warsaw, Chopin resolved to give, or rather his friends resolved for him that he should give, a concert in the theatre on October 11, 1830.  Although he is anxious to know what effect his Concerto will produce on the public, he seems little disposed to play at any concert, which may be easily understood if we remember the state of mind he is in.