He was at once taken to Mendelssohn, who put him through a searching examination, hearing him play some violin solos, playing Beethoven’s Kreutzer Sonata with him, and giving him a few tests in Harmony. The astonished relations [of Joachim] could hardly believe their ears on hearing Mendelssohn's report of this examination: “The Cherub no longer needs the training of a Conservatoire for his instrument, indeed no teacher of violin-playing is necessary for him at all: let him work by himself, and play occasionally to David for the benefit of his criticism and advice. I myself will often and regularly play with him and be his adviser in artistic matters; the boy has also worked out his tests in harmony without hesitation or fault, and therefore I strongly advise him to continue this study under Hauptmann, in order that he may learn all that is required of a true artist. I consider it, however, of the greatest importance that the boy should receive a thoroughly sound general education, and I myself will undertake to find him a competent teacher”.