Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-12-12

character, and will well repay a perusal.
---sas%-----
70 tie jour si I'D taemn
CONCEhT OF THE HANDEL AND
HAY DIN SOCIETY.
MIR. EDITOR -
Perhaps the best commen-
dation of the performance Of the Handel and
Haydn Society, on Thursday evening last,
was the fine audience of our music loving
people that greeted their appearance in the
fourth concert and it is still more creditable
when notice is taken of the fact that the
price of admission has been Fixed (very pro-
perly, we think above that charged by the
strolling singers and buiioons who visit US
too frequently, and whose performances tend
rather to corrupt than TO elevate musical
taste.
Too much praise cannot be awarded to
Mr. Lichtenstein, Prots. GrobC and Fullmer,
for the pains they have taken to render per-
feet the execution of the various anthems on
the programme; and that the audience ap-
preciated the performances of the latter
gentlemen, was evinced by a hearty encore
of songs without words" on the piano and
organ.
The Duets and Quartetts were in very
good taste and well executed. 0 that
had Wings, and Christ stilling the Ten.
pest" appeared 10 the writer most worthy
Ofrepetition. OF the anthems, " Praise the
Lord ye Servants" " and "The heavens are
Telling" seemed in best tune, showing the
patience and perseverance of the Director in
training his pupils so thoroughly that real
difficulties were overcome.
The fourth concert was good, and ii must
crafty the friends of the Society to know that
there are no signs of degeneracy in what has
been undertaken; but the writer, to be hon
est, and in the most friendly spirit, will ven
ture remark or two, not exactly in criti-
cism or complaint, but rather as suggestive
to those who give direction and character to
the Society and its concerts. The musical
taste of this city is low-too low for city
having such advantages as we possess, and
friends of good church music, and others,
looked upon the organization Of the Handel
and Haydn as a means of accomplishing the
most desirable end, ofelevating taste for good
music, and increasing the number of anna
teur performers and singers. To an extent
this has been done; but there is demand,
not only for greater variety than has been
furnished, but for higher order of talent
than that exhibited in mere chorus or ballad
singing. The Philadelphia Handel and
Haydn Society, embracing many of the most
excellent singers in that city, always include
in the programme one or two solos, by artists
of well known ability, and think it no dis
paragement Of home talent to send to New
York or elsewhere for'singers, who not only
attract the public, but inspire and encourag,
the members to efforts for the same pro
fciency
The question was asked on Thursda,
evening, could this Society give US the Ora
torio of the Messiah, " or The Creation p
Perhaps not-certainly not, without an OF
chestra, and few extra voices; but shoul
not the members look forward to some sucl
end
Home talent is not undervalued by our pee
pie, but it may be made so much featur
In these concerts, that the demand for va
riety and change will affect the popularity c
this excellent Society.
Progress in a musical association is essen
tial to lis life and usefulness and unles
members feel that they are learning some
thing which will render them more indc
pendent, the rehearsal becomes drudge, an,
the performances monotony.
word or two concerning the last concert
and this cemmunication-alrea too long
is closed
Custom and convenience demand, W
think, that an audience have full view Of
public speaker or singer but unfortunately
on the occasion referred TO, from some part
of the hall the singers in the DUETS, &c
were not distinguishable from those seate
on the platform and, indeed, the Who'll
arrangement seemed cramped and uncomfort
able, although there was ample room fo
more than appeared.
The interest of an entertainment shoul
centre in the performers; but it must b
told, in oandor, that sometimes the rule i
reversed, and the dignity of demeano
demanded of those who appear befor
us, to instruct by their logic, or char
by music, was not the rule on Thursda
evening. Those on the platform who CAV
such demonstrations of approval of the dt
etts and quartetts, or others who evince
such interest in some person or persons il
the audience, and conyersed freely when tn
music was most effective and the house pei
fectly still, no doubt felt very much at hom
and among friends, but this restlessness
certainly out of taste and could not fail I
excite comment. CLEF,