The Express.
London, England, 1855-03-31 00:00:00

CRYSTAL PALACE.

TO SHE EDITOU 01 THE DAILY NNW.

SIR, —I have rend with much interest your Lowest
of a musical experiment io the Crystal Palace, although I
cannot admit that a pianoforte is equal to the immune
space of the palace. Still the attempt evwces a desire as the
part of the directors to introduce mealy cf a higher charm►
ter this has as yet been preetoted and th. rant all ttse
lovers of music will feel grateful to those gentlemen fie
the effort.

But much depends upon their first essays ; if intelligently
carried out tiny will doubtless Ipcom, popular, and es
immense improvement in the public taste may reasonably be
anticipated. Ou the other hand, it is to he much feared that
a failure mow would be fatal to the chance of the Crystal
Palace becoming hereafter • school for music. Now, m
regards the piano, it should at once be understood that this
instrument is only a substitute for en orchestral draped
band. It may be aced with much effs at in a room, and
may accompany the voice or en instrument; but even hers
• few stringed instrumento would b 3 far preferable es
accompaniments in the beck ground to a musical compni.
tion. It requires to be subdued sod sustained to afford ma-
!ldeate sod support to the principal part, and to be ibis en
intervals to continue and mil with it. These qualities are
not to be found in the piano. This instrumeut cannot sits.
fain sound, and can combine with the voice. Thule
ie too much percussion and too little eenaibilqy to enable it
to perform all the duties of an accompaniment. It is the
most useful of all instruments; its capacity of harmony is
inexhaustible, end its precision all that con be desired
insomuch that I have often heard a band praised for "still-
ing the cords like • piano ;" but it is not, given to any
strument to combine all the effects of wbieh music it no
eeptible, and the pianois, and ever must be, utterly damns*
in melody and expression. But I would not, therefore, in.
arrange the works of the old masters—those productive
should be performed exactly as written. This is imps»•
five, from which good taste can allow no deviation. TM
whole notion of a-ranging Is founded in error—there should
be no tampering wit% works of establi.hed fame. If a piess
cannot be produced in its integrity it should not be presested.
But to return : it sonatas end pianoforte pieces are gives
then I foresee that they will take no hold of the public tuts.
bemuse the merits of such pieces, being especially midst
for the Instrument, consist in the hatmonies; and when we
reflect that these harmonies are instantaneous, and canard be
sustained, it is obvious, that to be fully appreciated ropiest
a highly cultivated ear. If 'bn the other hand it is to be
used with the voice, it is to he feared that ballads end trolly
songs will be preferred.; therefore the pianoforte should be
used sparingly. Simple, pure, and good music, of a some-
what popular charabter, should be preferred. The works 5$
the great masters must be presented judiciously. They will
soon gain a footieg if attentively listened to ; but the piano is
not a fitting mediont for this purpose. I must not hedge
further on your space; but allow me to refute an error whisk
is generally entertained, via., that the plane is the best se-
eempanimeat because it is the greatest contrast to the Wide.
Few this memo it is the worst. Contrasts may, with 'nerva-
tion, be highly effective ; but to be so, or indeed admitted
at all, they must be and. r perfect control ; a mistreat Tar
sing all through a pigee is absurd. We have little ides in
this couatry of what • subdued chores of vele. s to do.
Better and S Idartm's keels have no conception of if. SI
this east is precisely the oppos.te to Motzust.—l am, 803.

TBI AMERICAN MANX—The next mails from the
United Steve to trip vitinur will hr conveyed by the ♦ar
rises eiconettip Nashville, Captain Berry, which was adver-
tised to knee New York at noon on the 21st Mesa, sad
may cceseq•ently. bee: peeled to arrive in the Kersey
Boajay neat. The Nashville has been chartered [or**
tr.p by the Collins Company, to relieve their 'Wilier, the
Peelle, wide*, we believe, requital eons repairs.