It was wretched.

All the depth of tone had gone from his violin as well as the skill from his fingers....

The project was abandoned.
It was left for Maurin to make something out of these terrible quartets.
Maurin had peculiar gifts.

He had a lightness of bow which I have never seen equalled by anyone and a lightness and charm which enchanted the public.

But I can say in all sincerity that Seghers's execution was even better.