The Press.
London, England, 1854-12-02 00:00:00

htsir.

DRURY LANE.—On Tuesday evening last the whole
of the first part of the concert was devoted to a selec-
tion from Beethoven, and the performance was
listened to by a crowded house with great attention,
and, if the enthusiastic applause be taken as proof,
with some appreciation of the power of this great
composer. The magnificent overture to Leonora
commenced the concert; and we must do M. Jullien
the justice to say that we have rarely heard , a finer

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performance of this masterpiece of Beethoven's.
The allegretto in B flat, from No. 8 Symphony, suc-
ceeded, and was encored, for its own beauty as well
for the spirit and delicacy of the execution. The
larghetto from the Symphony in D was also equally
well performed, and the violin concerto in 1) was
played by Mr. Blagrove with great expression. The
whole of the Grand Symphony in C minor, very cor-
rectly and very finely performed, concluded the first
and Beethoven part of the concert, amidst loud and
enthusiastic applause. That such a successful re-
sult is entirely due to M. Jullien's indomitable efforts
no one can deny ; and that the standard of musical
taste among the masses really is improved (for what
audience ten years ago would have listened quietly
to the whole of the Symphony in C minor?) is also
true. So successful was this Beethoven festival con-
sidered, that M. Jullien repeats the performance this
evening, the second part of the concert being de-
voted as usual to lighter music.
THE BACH SOCIETY gave the second performance
in England of Bach's "Grosse Passions-Musik" on
Tuesday evening last, at the Hanover-square Rooms,
to a crowded and distinguished musical audience.
The performance was under the direction of Mr.
Sterndale Bennett, and the solo singers consisted of
Miss Dolby, M. and Madame Ferrari, Miss E. Wil-
liams, Mr. Walworth, and Mr. Bolton. Mr. Dando
was the principal violinist, and Mr.E.J. Hopkins the
organist. The performance was very creditable
throughout, considering the remarkable difficulties
and complexities of Bach's style ; and several of the
airs, which were sung with great expression, were
warmly encored. The choruses, well and carefully
rendered, were applauded with enthusiasm ; and we
have now no doubt that the Bach Society will even
tually triumph in their " labour of love," and succeed,
if not in popularising, at least in obtaining some
share of support and attention for the works of so
great a composer as Sebastian Bach.
Miss Dolby's first concert of chamber music took
place on Thursday evening, at her own residence, in
Hinde•street. The performances were excellent,
and consisted of some exquisite instrumental music;
Mendelssohn's trio in C minor, for the piano, violin,
and violoncello, being played by Messrs. Sterndale
Bennett, Ernst, and Lucas ; Beethoven's Sonata in
G, by Bennett and Ernst; and two solos on the
violin were played by Ernst with the most exquisite
expression. Of the vocal music, Miss Dolby and her
sister sang several pretty ballads—Mozart's "Deh
vieni ;" Winter's duet from Proserpina, "Ti veggo,
t'abbraccio ;" Haydn's " Spirit song ;" and a " scene."
by Mozart, hitherto entirely unknown in this country ;
a recitative, " Alcandro, lo confesso," followed by an
aria, "Non so donde vieni"—a piece undoubtedly of
Mozart's music, very beautiful, expressive, and im-
passioned, and stamped with the mark of his genius
upon every bar. The vocal accompaniments were
played by Mr. Lindsay Sloper. The rooms were
crowded with a fashionable audience, and the con-
cert highly successful. The second concert is fixed
for the 13th of December.
THE SACRED HARMONIC SOCIETY commence their
series of concerts, under the direction of Mr. Costa,
on Friday next, with Handel's oratorio of Deborah.
MR. ALBERT SMITH reopens his " Ascent of Mont
Blanc" on Monday evening next. A new route this
time is to be delineated by Rotterdam, through
Hollsnd, up the Rhine to Cologne, and thence to
Switzerland. Two or three new songs and several
new friends are to be introduced.
A SERIES OF GRAND MILITARY CONCERTS are to be
given during the Christmas week at the Crystal
Palace. All the bands of the Guards' regiments are
to be engaged.
A MAONIFICENT OROAN has lately been erected in
St. Martin's Church, by Messrs. Bevington. It is of
great magnitude, imposing in appearance, and with
immense volume of tone, yet mellow and soft to a
degree. It is highly ornamental, and contains 51)
stops, with 3,158 pipes. On Thursday morning, at
service, it was played for the first time, and with very
beautiful effect. Mr. Hopkins, the eminent organist
of the Temple Church, officiated.

(Ecclesiastical.