New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-01-31
THE TRIBUNE.
Riusic.

sensuoUs sentimental grathcauoh' out 'uc AIue
\, svoYession of the human soul which penetrates
deepest, circulatcs widest and scars highest There
!, M branch of culture more important, and in our
own country and age there is no influence so de-
.ir.ble as ,ha; Of musical expression in its higher
forms.
Il seems strange that it should be necessary 10
saw this; and ye! it is so, TO redssure the many who
obscurey feel, and confront the many who have no
idea, of such truths
Since tie time Of the Greek philosopher who
knew that Music and Mathematics were the uni
yersa mediums through which all things might
hes; be Taught and learned. thought has not ad-
vspced. nor has so grand formula Of instruction
been profered since by any school. Men are still
un6t TO estimate this, or lest its significance by faith
fol practice
In some regions where the Arts flourish sponta-
neously, Music assumes her proper place, as the
divine Urana who hallows. guides and answers the
thoughts OF Man. But, in those also which are less
favored by Nature, this ought TO be recognized. and
the essence of the rose priced by those who never
walked in the gardens which allure the nightingale
from Heaven.
Now and then we meet valuable expression OF
such feelings which gives true delight Such
have we received from Address delivered be-
fore the Harvard Musical Association in the Chapel
Of the University at Cambridge, August, ls45, by
CHRISTOPHER 2. CRANcH.
AS we know hardly any thing so good written
on the subject in ths country, regret very much
to see that the pamphlet s not published, but only
printed for the Society 1t will. Of course be crcu
lated, TO a considerable extent from hand 10 hand;
but it contains simple, SO beautiful an essay from
mind constituted by nature and developed by
Instruction TO an unusually intimate understanding
Of The subject that much regret ii should not be
generally read But for lis length, it would have
been repubished entire in The Tribune; as it is.
wemust content ourselves with some extracts.
Mr. CRANcH in speaking molly as he does in the
allowing passage Of the objects OF this Society, de-
,irpaes what might be effected by such, if es;a5
Hhed in every city, town and village:
- "our Association is not like old pro-
ectng stone of the college bnilaing,-venerabie,
yet dead; bui like Young, fragrant wall flower
swinging ont of it, and lending beauty 10 the home
Of It's cold uupa,crnal ancestry. The day has come
when these whose stolen musical indugences were
boxed upon so askance and jealousy, by our Alma
Mater have come out. uncovered and free, 10 take
astand for themselves. and have built up society
in whose protecting and kindly influences these
tender gems of the beautiful. could shoot up. these
secret ongings for fresher life than our colleges
justify could find their natural sphere. Your As
ISOLATION contains in It's constitution and intent the
germ Of new and profound school OF education
For it asserts the fact OF the beautiful Ms primary
element in the development of the mind. II gives
The sanction OF lawful and good 10 what the past
has styled dleness. The young student, whose
tender conscience reproved him Tor looking oil from
bis Euclid or his Buffers Analysis for ruoment 10
tla h,,ta iiIfl, N
before his window,-whose soul went out in indie
Enable longings when he heard far off the swell OF
the bounding bueles or the band of vocal serenades,
has now learned another lore. and has felt, that
IN yielding himseftc his nature, he has found truth
hand in hand with beauty.
Ii is Tor this associated, organized recognition OF
ihe province of beauty, in nature and in art. espe-
csly in the great sphere of music, that ] again
congratulate Won, gentlemen. and feel myself so
privileged in assembling with you today
when accepted your invitation. my thought
was how To express any thing on the subject OF
rusc which should have defRifeneSS, while II
timed TO avoid narrowness OF statement. II Is not
easy TO speak well on this theme. feel my lncom
ye;ence. no, chiefly account OF an imperfect ac-
cuaintance with the scientific basis OF Music,-be-
Cause here seems ittest 10 view II on the aesthetic
md spiritual sde-but simply because | feel IL 10
be theme almost too great for words TO do justice
To- Thinking of music, and ot any deep expression
this divine gift often feel utterly ut loss
vbs to saw II is ike oil iullness OF beauty. inea-
be and divine No idea OF ii, but the purely trans
ccnden,al. seems admissible worthy, Il seems
as II q discourse upon Music should be poem 4
mystic hymn breathing like itself part OF It's own
inspired ut,crances. Such beauty
Beauty too rich for use, for earth TOO dear,
should be its own Interpreter. At least, on an oc-
easion like ths all scientific, all technical, still more
t'eataa'e talk about Music, seems narrow and de
grading We would shut out from this sacred en-
r0snra oil ,hn ,hn ND pi
and concer, rooms and opera boxes and listen TO a
deeper wisdom. aud drink in more refined draughis
@ beauty. Some Hebe must proner US the cup
"hlewe sup a. the banquet of the gods.
mus; be pardoncd, therefore. II, IN dealing
with this theme shall indulge occasionally in what
nay be termed vagueness and extravaganza OF ex.
preston For | feel MS ii entering upon holy and
mysterious ground ] have fitting words to de
esre how much Music is 10 me. II is great I'M
named, undeiined-a perpetual transmission from the
spiritual thevery intimate presence OF God as cier
nally founded IA subtly iniCrpencirat'nc, rs any
manifestation ofbeauty that visits thisvsible world.
Wien en- lifted on the wings OF melody and bar
Hony, feel that have words for tins matter.
Afuculaie language is lame and tagging Music
.oea seems TO me an ethereal RAIN and ever SOFT
cisulsiiou fragrant and liquid and wholesome 10
lae scul as dew 10 flowers; ncomprebcnsible
Delight 10Y, voice Of mystery. that seems 10
ssnd on the boundary between the spheres Of the
senses and the soul and plead with poor, uurefued
aoman nature. 10 ascend into regions of seraQhic.
ancontained life.
% wondrous power Art ,hou no, the nearest
e'eelh of Gods own beauty. borne 10 us amid this
Infinite whispering gallery OF his creation Type
" Ill love aud observation-disclosures OF contrary.
naFd Clements bender OF soul with soul and OF
h4wih the infinite harmony How shall we eX-
press thee Unbalanced how but in strains OF some
inspired genius. surprising those OF hun no
S'aised the light, offspring of Heaven first born
I'M numbers. such poets feign, OF Orpheas and
Snphon but beyond all that the sons OF earth have
ser sung to US, should this divine mystery be lit
eagiy celebrated
IL seem like rhapsodist in exalting the min
Suy OF Music 10 this pitch, you need but mark your
~. l e3perlences.-those OF you who are blessed
l a.ua musical suscepubiiitics and powers-or at
Is9 read The lives OF those grea, composers who
save been the true priests harmony and you will
Una the most mystical Fights o: enthusiasm sup
ported by all the solidi,y o. fact,
nc, conceive OF Music the finest expression OF
phases II !. The r actual up 10 us hs9es. lasa
Seisnce which art can attain IL is vague because