New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-26
NEW ORATORIO.
MR. BRISTOws "PRAIsE TO GOD" AT
IRyINU-PIACE HALL,

IRNlNG-PLACE HALL.
The production Of a work of American art at time
when politics and the clash Of conendng parties mag
netze the public mind is not fortunate for the artist;
but still may call attention to it. A musical compo-
rition of the stage depends absolutely the merit Of
the composition and not upon the adventurous aids Of
scenery dress decoration and histionic beauty. II
restricted "a to the temper Of its poetry pposng be
vocal music there is the difficulty in creating eff
fects Mr. Bristow as chosen for Bis Celebrations the
words Of the re Deup, or, Prase 10 God, which are
distinguished for want Of coloring variety being In
single strain, with hardly word admitting music be-
yond the exutant and nothing dark, terrible, impas
stoned or erotcthe latter 70 necessary TO music-as
the principle Of Love which underlies Being, is the
STERILE nspirer otbe muse Notwithstanding
these radical defects ofbect Mr Brisow bascomposed
a work, copous as to detail, and large to scope,
which Interested intelligent auditory for some two
hours-there being several hearty encoes and these
applied, in instances, to choral pieces, where
there was single voice TO entrance the attention or
excite the Partially Of the auditors. We would re-
mark that Mr.. Bstow takes of the few dramatic
worls--for instance, Let me never be conounded,"
is aptly exemplifed. In the soprano solo, however,
where heaven is essayed, it should have been EN-
phasized by change to the major from the minor mode
which apty dscoarsed the initial phrase, "When thou
"tookest upon thee" The titles and musical dsposi
ton of the pieces are as follows:
I Introduction. IL. We praise thee 0 God: Cho-
rus. H. To thee oil angels cry aloud Solo Bass.
Nv. To thee Cheruhim and SernPhim: chorus ".
The glorious Company: Duo, tenor and base. vi.
The holy church: Chorus. VII. Thou art the King
of GLORY: Solo, tenor VIII. When thou tookest upon
thee: Solo, soprano. TX. Thou sittest at the right
hand: solo, soprano and tenor, chorus \. y Lord
save thy people: Solo, bars. NJ. Day BY day we
magnify tEee Duo, alto and tenor. XII. Vouchsate,
q lord: Quartet and chorus. XIII. Blessed DO the
Lord: Chorus XIV. As be SPOKE: Sole al.o. XIV.
To perform thy mercies: Chorus. XVI. That we
being delivered: Quartet. XVII. And thou, child:
Chorus. XVIII. 10 give knowledge: Soprano alto
and bass XIX. Gloria Patria: Chorus.
These pieces, by the way, form a volume elegantly
printed by the interchangeable and liberal house of Dit
con & Co., Boston. The execution Of the chorurses
was entrusted to fresh, youthful voices, 80 different
from those which are overworn and hackneyed. Tie
solos were most interesting rendered by Miss Brain
ard. Mrs. Jameson Mr.. g. w. Haselwood, and Mr.. j.
r. Thomas. Miss Brainard sang to more adj
vantage and the power Of her voice above the orches
ira was remarkable.
The style Of the music IL modern. The accompani-
mens are elaborate and parakc largely Of the spst OF
Spohr and Mendelssohn, without being copies OF any
school, Mr.. Bristow is perfect master Of the eHtrdn OF
dreamy harmony Of the present epoch In evidence OF
this take No. W. Of the list and others in kindred
vein. The whole work will compare favofab.y with
the classics, beside being free from oldiasoned crudi-
ties
II will be repeated on next Thursday, the 2sth at
Irving Place Hall. A crowded audience may DO de-
Ervedly NokedfOs.