The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-06-28
WASHINGTON, d. c..
ANOTHER GRAND SYMPHONY
CHEERING FROM THE SOUTH.

German gentleman of that State, one DR..
Treiberneger,# who, it is suggested, was In
spired to compose his Plantation Symphony "
by the success which has attended the efforts Of
Herr Lostiswitz and other writer's of descriptive
music in Germany. DIR. Treiberneger, it would
seem, had gone TO Virginia laden with preju-
dices against the peculiar institution of that
State, which were only finally conquered when
be became, by marriage, the possessor Of a wife
and plantation stocked with one hundred
negroes. This suspicious event is limited at in
various tender love passages scattered through
his symphony. However, from this moment,
very little investigation served to convince the
Doctor OF the weakness and injustice of his for
mer prejudices against the institution he now
so Justly celebrates, and his symphony may be
regarded as the voice of one coming to the
light. Our correspondent, who seems to have
been so fortunate to be present at the pro-
duction of this great work, proceeds as fol-
lows-N J. Erening Post.
"Amongst those present to listen observed
Senator Mason, (author of the fugitive slave bill, J
Judge Douglas, (of the Nebraska bill, Rev. Mr.
Stringfellow, (author of a Bible-Slavery pamph-
let, Mr.. Suttle, (owner Of Tony Burns) Rev.
Nehemiah Adams and +. G.. Loring, who were
the only persons from the North. The presence
OF these distinguished gentlemen excited much
attention. 1t was proud moment for Treibsr-
meyer. He came forth to lead the orchestra.
and was received by an applause in advance
justified by his wealth and the character of his
subject. de seemed to be a man of about
fifty. short, thick-set-a face which reminds me
much of the likeness of the poet Herrick. He
bowed gracefully, waved his baton, and the
symphony burst upon US.
How shall describe this great work of art!
how shall utter the ineffablel rejoice that
men have imaginations everywhere, or should
despair OF conveying any impression. Dr. Trei-
berneger, with singular originality, has COM
menced the symphony (which is in b aatl with
the movement Anddnte graziazo. The buzz
buzz and humhum of conversation has ceased.
the perfect quiet of the audience is uninter.
rupted, save by an occasional splitting of tobac-
co-when the grateful strains steal forth with
enchanting power. The plantation stretches out
before you, with graceful, undulating beauty.
had, as this beautiful scene arose, memories
of the beautiful themes of Haydn's Creation.
For instance, where the tobacco field arises
making 'eye-muSic, one is reminded of the
passage, With rerCsae clad dc. and when the
cotton field came into view | could hear the
words, Here shoots the heating plant With this
for a background, the Virginia gentleman is
seen going forth with his wife in a coach, to take
ride around the estate, and to see the hands
at work. The music here was similar in move
Inelll, lnougn suptTiOr IN erect, 10 tiayOn
In ndtire scorM and honor clad With one
accord, the audience felt that this was fitting
description of DIR. T. and his plantation with
negroes; and for little while the Andante
passed. where the driver mounting to the
box, a figure skilfuy carried from the cellos
10 second violin, ending with the crack of q
whip in sharp)-because of the great applause
which this great man received with modesty
and yet dignity. The rest of tho Andante
brings the carriage to the place where negroes
are collected al work. 1t closes with the old
and favorite air of Old TrgiRny neUer tire to
which some one whom | suspected as an in
cendiary, sitting behind me, added the words,
necer tires because 1t goes so tarndttOn slou.
The Andante closed. time was allowed for gen
tlemen TO take refreshments, which l observed
Douglas Mason, and others did.
1.-The next movement Is AlicQrO motto CON
bro. The carriage arrives where other negroes
have been put to work, but in the absence of the
overseer have betaken themselves to lolling sing
ing, dancing. This was happy thought in the
composer, inasmuch 1t allowed the introduc
ton of much of the life and incident peculiar
to the South. The melody of Old Uncle Ned
is heard-faintly at first, then in full chorus
Then is heard a shuttle, of Jig, this on the
oboe and second violin, in few quick notes, in
hat,) whilst a slight adagio shows several
idling under a tree. The carriage is not yet
seenl But we are then taken there, and in
few passages of great brilliance, in what Mrs
Browning calls the sad perpexed minors we
have lamentation over the idleness of negroes,
their deceit and indisposition to work. The
conversation on this subject is carried on in the
carriage-the violoncello representing the mas
ter and the flute, varied by carionet, represent
ing the lady-(evcry one thinking of the &C
complished Mrs. i. y The characteristic lazi
Ocftb lie J,obo
time from their master, is eloquently brough,
outs and it is seen from few notes in the
opheicliae, that the present instance demands
decided and severe measures. The masters
resolution Is given in few base notes.
But the carriage has drawn near A little
scherso describes their hurrying TO their work /:
but it is too late! They have sinned they
must suffer A few flashes of the eve in A
major announce that a storm is coming on in
plantation affairs. They gather together at
barn, where punishment is to be given. The
overseers are all put into requsition, with their
cowhides. A movement very strong, and re-
sembling the storm in the Pastorale of Beetho-
ven, represents the wailings of the whipped
and the warning voice of the master, (violoncel
lo,) and the firm though moderate tones of the
lady, saying you kaoc Ire taught you better,
thute, c sharp One fellow, who was found
reading when he ought to have been working
Is whipped more than the rest, lin scores. Strong
emotion for few bars. The evil effects OF
teaching negroes to read are descanted upon
with movement like the first of the Sonata
appasSionatd. Mr.. Suttle here had tears in
his eyes, and his hand was seized by Judge
Douglas convulsively.) And with these various
and conflicting emotions the Allegro ceased ::
and, as before, the audience retired few mo,
ments to the bar.
% The Scherso. By few sudden strokes, we
are warned that something wrong has occurred
A few clear notes on the trumpet inform us that
Tony, the one logged for reading, has run
away. We have here mingled the confusion
consequent on such an event, and lamenta-
ton over the ingrattude of negroes and the
depravity of the human heart. REV. n.
Adams's eyes were seen upturned. Senator
Mason mutters, with emotion, Dam shame
Com. Loring says he'll see justice done the
master Douglas is heard TO say, patrotically,
Bri' tn da' niger to MN wallupiml
"Nothing now heard but the excited cries OF
the hunters, the barking of the hunting dogs
the cries of the silly parents and relatives OF
Tony. The ScherzO ceases-Tony not being
found.
I" The Finale / do not hesitate to pronounce
this the greatest stroke of artistic genius In
modern times. In this the true power of Trei
berneger stands forth confessed. In few rapid
and joyful notes in the major key we are in
formed that Tony is discovered And we are
soon introduced, with some difficulty arising
from bayonets,) into the United States Court
room at Boston. The Commissioner comes
forth under grand flourish of trumpets, play
ing Star Spangled Banner The prisoner is
brought in to Old Folks at Home to touch
his stony heart, if possible. The examination