The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-09-18

! SEAsoNs-HAYDN, &c.---We have long intend
ed to have "our say" about the society
whose title forms the head of his article
and as their first public performance fol
the present season is now near al hand
we will to-day devote little space to so interest
ing subject. For several years past, number
Of musical associations have formed themselves
in this city; but, though well commenced at first
they all, from some cause other, came to an un-
timely end, with the exception of our glorious and
flourishing Philharmonic Society, and the long
established New York Sacred Music Society,
which still drags slowly along. The "vocal
Society,"" which promised so fairly at first, and
produced ancient music with such excellent
taste and good effect, fell through, it is said,
through disunion or professional jealousy among
its members; but we believe, that its downfall may
rather be ascribed to the want OF proper, enter
prisng, and energetic head manager, or principal.
The American Musical Convention" which
meets here once year for the discussion OF the
respective merits of psalmody and secular music,
for the Qualification of singing, school
masters, the putting of Boston manufactured
pianos, and the promotion of the sale of Boston
music books, is not worthy to be named here.
The Sacred Music Society" has done but little
as a society, towards the advancement of taste in
music, either blythe production Of new and grand
works, or by the encouragement Of resident talent
When concert of the society was nthe taps
then and only them would there be re oearsals for
the members distinguished or popul 4 ocalists
would be obtained from the Opera ne hap
pened to be here) to sing the solo part ~ old ora
toros, which would still be repeated sensonafter
season, since these were the least Itr oatle and
even then, were not given complete thin the
last year or two however, that society has been
somewhat spurred up to opposition, by society
under the management of Mr.. Henry Meigs,
and under the musical direction Of MIR. George
Loder, which society has only very lately been
organized, and is now known as the American
Musical Institute" We must do the " Sacred
Music Society" the justice of saying, that since
the beginning of that opposition, its performances
are somewhat improved, and that it has also pro-
duced, (by way of epposition) few new works,
such as the ''Seven Sleepers," &c., although we
cannot approve of the feeling Of jealousy which
prompts the management OF that institution, fire.
quently to give their performances, oratorios, ex-
cursons, &C., Immediately previous, or at the
same time, when the other association advertises
theirs.
We feel fully convinced that the american
Musical Institute must continue and flourish,
and if it is not so already, must soon become the
first association of the kind in the country, and
for the following reasons: Its object is phian-
thropic it confers good, practical musical edu-
cation, free Of charge, at most trifling cost,
to all who choose to avail themselves of the adj
vantages it offers, or whom nature has blessed
with good voice; and by the performance of the
greatest vocal works, Of the great composers of
past and present times, it will extend and refine
musical taste among our population-a great de-
sderatum certainly. This institution is divided
into five classes, according to the ability of the
members. The members of the first class, if call
ed upon to aid at public performance, are paid |:
For principal solo parts. 49,. $4,000
For minor lo,W
For leading the choral parts ............ 500
Those of the second class may also be called
upon to sustain solo parts, and if So receive ten
dollars either in cash or private lessons, for such
performances.
Thus the classes grade downwards to the fifth
class, which consists of learners, from the COM
mencement. These pay for their tuition, impaired
by most competent master, twenty cents per
week, inclusive of the use Of books and music.
All these lower classes promoted as rapidly
as their improvement will allow as tits, ofcourse,
the interest ofthe societyto promote them towards
proficiency. Thus it viii at once be seen how
very advantageous the plan of this institute is
both to professors and amateurs. The former
receive reward for their labors, and help to ad-
the cause of their profession, and the latter
have free or almost free instructions, intercourse
with the best professors, and may all look for
ward to pecuniary advantages.
On Monday next, this Society will give their
first grand concert, and present Haydn's last
great work, "The Seasons" AS this splendid and
most effective composition is not exactly Of a So
cred or strictly religious character, it cannot Justly
be called ''a sacred drama catalogues in music, 81
which, we believe, is the meaning Of the word
oratorio. The work, however, is replete with
grandeur and sublimity; ard we may here
remark, that this is the first time i
has ever been performed complete in thi:
country. To give description of this mag
nifcent composition, would require more
room than we could spare for it in week. The
words are series of descriptions taken from the
immortal poem of Thomson, and the characters
of Simon, Jane and Lucas, az also villagers and
hunters, introduced TO recite or rather sing the
disappearance of the horrors of winter, and the
cheerful labors of the peasant In the summer we
have the glorious rising of the sun, the heat o
noon, and all nature seems exhausted and Ian
gushing under its influence Then the vows O
youthful lovers in the shado anon a thunde
storm succeeded by a beautiful evening. 1hi
storm is a magnificent composition; and nothin
can be more exquisite than its contrast with tn
stiffness of a serene night, and the gradual dyin
away of every sound into stiffness, only Interrupt,
ed by the cry of n nocturnal bird and the villag
bell.
In the autumn we have hunting scene, an,
the festivities of the vintage; and in the winte
we have the glorious conclusion of the whole b.
the villagers freside. The minds of the peasant
gathered round their genial hearth, rise from jo
and merriment to the of all their blessings
and these feelings are expressed in beautiful
hvrpp Of fhonE eu,x ir o,I xub,nI (.s