Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1851-09-04
HERALD OF 4HE times
: CRANST0N s. NORMAN.
TER MS--$2 in advance, or 1926
at the end Of the year.
PbBLIsHED EVERY THURSDAY MORNING, AT
MOL ThR mes Street.

cr The GermaDia Musical Society
gave, on Sunday evening, their Grand
Concert of Sacred Music.
ltopened with Luther's grand Choral
"a Strong Castle is our Lord" This
gave as good an idea us il is possible
fer one TO obtain o. German Chorals
without the huge mass Of German vol.
ces II was performed in heavy, mass
i've, solemn style, so peculiarly adapted
TO that species of music. We have Of
ten desired TO visit Germany, that we
might listen TO and realize the magnif-
cent grandeur Of their Choral singing
could we have had several hundred
German voices uniting in those solemn
strains, we could have known the power
OF German Congregational singing.
The. vcfture, "Stabat Mater" ar
ranged by Mercadante, was given with
all its sweetness. and the flowing melo-
dy OF the "Cujus amman" frequently
repeatedly the different instruments.
The "Septctto," by Beethoven, was
performed in very effective manner
We had the "rctard" and dimnuendo'
operiection. twas much better given,
We think. than i. was last year.
The Funeral March," by Beethoven
opened with its muiIled mournful music
and well marked time, conveying the
idea ofa cautious, quiet step, as though
-thc dead might be awakened from their
long sleep. Again il swelIed into the
full and rich harmony, destroying all
monotony ; and then We heard again the
wall Of afflicted mourncrs. II reminded
US OF The deep, mysterious character pc
culiar to Beethoven and other German
composers. To many it was the best
music f the evening.
The first part Of the Symphony 'Con.
secration of Tones" was to us the exhi-
biiion OF the greatest skill of the even
ing. Bu, il is difficult TO understand
and we confess 10 havebeen perplexed
We wis, TO hear it several times, in or
der that We may comprehend il.
The gem Of the evening was undoub,-
e1ly Mendelssohn's "Song OF Praise )"
and it was executed with great ability.
But we were bes! pleased with the ten
der, delicate Gave Maria" 1t was rem
dered very appropriat ely ina subdued,
devotional style. We recoIlect last
summer when il was performed by the
Germanian's, Il gentleman from France
was seated near by US. II seemed 10
melt his sensbiities, for his tears flow
ed most freely. 1t is not to be wonder
ed that any church which obtains such
music as the ave Marla," and "Stabat
Mater" is successful. The only wonder
is that the churches in our country, and
even in our town, do not learn the les
son SO ably taught them, ana make far
NOR liberal efforts in behalf of music 10
their assemblies. The evenings per-
ormance closed will Tie Finale to the
Grand Symphony No. s. in c. Minor,
by Beethoven. In the language Of
many present, il was anything but c
Minor. 1t tpassed off TO the great graft
ifcation of the audience. We wish that
We could have heard the Andante pre-
vious TO the Finale. Bur it is asking
too II. n.uch for one evening.
The audience was large, and what
was peculiarly gratifying, composed in
a very large proporlion-probably more
than one hall--oi' our own citizens.
We regret, exceedingly, that this was
announced rs the only Sacred Concert.
And we hope that the Society will be
induced u give us apothcr classic en-
tortainment before they leave us in our
loneliness.