The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-12-20
Academy or Music-F1rst Orntorio Might
"Tne Creataon.o

Academy OF Music-F1rst Orntorfo Might
"Tne Creation"
The history OF Joseph Haydn is noble record OF the
triumphs Of great genius struggling against the
fearful Odds and only gaining the laures Of victory at the
portals OF the tomb "The Creation his greatest work.
was not commenced until no sixty three years Of age
and was not finished for two years al am, said no.
"a long time about IT, for am writing 1t 70 last long
time" He WAS quite right was in 1913 that The ora
torio was nrs performed at Vienna, and holds equal
rank with the Messiah" Of Handel the father of all the
sacred composers 1t has been well said that in this
Haydn borrowed few ideas from dramatic music, but
preserved by the sodity OF the harmony
bance TO the fine and solemn airs of the ancient
sustaining them by the richness of his orchestra melo
dies solemn, tender and al the time digni6ed and
brilliant he permitted his sacred airs occasional
graces and ornaments which happily relieve from time
to time, the general holiness of his style
The "Creaton brcathos throughout the pure religious
fervor OF the composer. "Whon working At it,
said Haydn, III felt myself penetrated with religion
that before sat down to my piano prayed confidently
TO God to give me the talent 10 praise him worthy."
Like the earlier Italian orasoos the "Creston Is spe
cics Of sacred drama, Improvement upon tho LGua
iria sacred songs and dialogues sung by the priests
in the place Of prayer. The Biblical history Of the
"Creation is described In series OF solos, duos tros
and choruses. The first part description of the be-
ginning when "God created the heavens and EARTH it
contains the celebrated soprano air g With verdurc'
Cad" tho bass solo Rolling Foaming Nl,ows"
and the grand trio and chorus SIN all the lands resounds
the word, and "The Heavens telling the glory of
God" In the second part the description Of the
of the birds is given in the soprano solo, con mighty
wings the eagle scars" and the creation Of the
tenor air ''In Native Worth" ending with the
TENOR soprano and and the great chorus Achieved
is the glorious work" The third part devoted duets
between Adam and Eve, the best of which is 'By thee
with Bliss admirably expressive Of the happiness our
first parents, and the oratoo closes with chorus which
consists OF an dndonte movement IN plain counterpart,
This oraorio was given at the Academy of Music last
evening by the New York Harmonic Society and the prn
cpa! singers of the Academy The soprano singers
Mime De La Grange and Miss Miner-the bass, Mr.
Forbes, and the tenor Mr. Perrng The large and Ell.
and the orchestra was conducted by Mr.. Anschutz
NO oratorio performance has ever been given
fully equal to the occasion. The house was
crowded in every part, al Opera prices Many of
the most eloquent dynes the city lent their aid 70 the
nifty came out in force and almost every musician and
amateur Of note in the city present The stage
replaced sy elevated platform, upon which the solo
singers chorus and orchestra appeared the arrange
mens throughout were exactly like those for the great
musical solemnites at Exeter Hall Iondon--thc solo
singers and conductor Of the orchestral behind them on
either side the female chorsers the rear the men;
and in the centre the orchestra with the organ at the
was well performed. Mr.. Formes, Miss Miner and Mr.
perrng-who are oratorio singers by Professionalism
pieces de resisance, "wth yerdure Clad" and s'On
Mighty Wings" admirably. Mr. Perring added some
what to the already favorable impression he has
made here. He has sweet voice and good COM
pass-phrases carefully enunciates with commend
able clearness The same admirable qualities were
noticeable IN the singing Of Mr. Formes who although he
bad not quite recovered from the effects Of his recent i'll
ness sung even better than in the Opera and carried OLA
larger part Of the hopors OF the night Nine la Grange
very well indeed. The choruses were quite well OK.
ecuted-the only fault perceptibe being the usual
IN a very large body of amateur singers-thc time
taken little too fast or too slow. The orchestra was
very good, and Anschutz quite in his element.