Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-11
a Thrilling Rehearsal.


Night before last, when the Storm King
was abroad upon the earth, death trembling in
his hand and his eyes flames OF fire, the mem
bers of the Mendelssohn Society had met for
private rehearsal in the upper story OF the
tall school building on the corner OF Centre
aud Walnut streets, one OF the highest houses
10 the city. To the paSSerby, the lighted
chapel up in the clouds may have looked like
the cleaning pinnacle of a light house, while
the weird strains that came thence must have
sounded as il made by spirits OF upper air, the
impressario, the Storm King himself and the
performers his attendant spirits. From the
elevated chapel the view was one OF the
graudest denizens OF earth are often permitted
TO witness All around was clouds and dark
ness away down below were the tops of the
neishboring houses, and the long line of Wal
nut street with its lighted lamps htfully gim
mering through the thick foliage OF the trees
Immediately in the foreground could be seen IN
bold relief the entire length of the stately
Cathedral, lighted for evening service, its
towering spire, from earth to sky, made visible
at every frequent fash OF the lightning to the
right Of the Cathedral, the noble form and
large dimension o. the Baptist church, fully
revealed to view by the electric light, and in
the far back ground the lofty chimney OF the
paper mill, pouring forth columns OF thick
smoke. only blacker than the surrounding
clouds. and looking like the vent Of the infer
nal regions. Ii was scene that will long live
in the memory Of those that witnessed 1t.
But if the scene was indescrlbably grand,
what shall be said Of its extraordinary and sub
lime accessories The Mendelssohn were en-
pseed in rehearsing Haydn Storm chorus, as
also that amos. supernatural composition, the
mysterious legend connected with which almost
very one is familiar with-MOZart' Requiem
itself the premonition OF the departure TO the
habitatiou of souls OF its wonderful author.
Around was the backness Of darkness, and, as
the bodiug silence that reigned through the
dun expanse was broken, and the voices rang
forth 'Hark the deep, tremendous voice OF
avful thunder, roars, the hoarSe mutterngS
of the distant thunder grew more distinct and
nearer, and the blending lightning ushered in
flashes OF hyid flames dart through the air. y
Then the rain descended and the floods came,
forming fitting accompaniment TO "and the
bursting clouds the food IN sundry torrents
pour." The winds ragged, the hall calattered
on the windows, the sky ct Intervals Was all in
flames and il might have been remarked that
the fervent exclamation, repeated in turn by
the different parts, Heaven protect US !" was
sune with unusually appropriate expression.
crash. convulsing heaven, the thunder rolls,
was broken into and drowned by the sharp
cracS Of the heavenly artillery itself. and the
solid earth seemed shaken to its deep iounda
ton while the shrek Of Haydn chorus, "Oh
God Oh, what horror!" alternated with the
warning Of the elements without the open win
dows, rendipg the heavens.
The "Diss Ire" Of Mozart was illuminated
and illustrated in as awiuly grand and impress
siye q manner. Think Of the theme
Day of Judgment Day OF wonders
hsrki Jehovahs voice resoundirg,
Louder than ten thousand thunders
Day Of Warningl Day OF Mourning
Earth anu heaven in ashes burnIngl
Lol He comes. with clouds descending
Lol Archsngeps trumpet hingethl
Thro' sepulchrsl vaults it siugeth
AL before the Throne II brlngeth
Death is struck, and nature Quaking,
All creation is awaking
Nature was literally quakiue, and, as the
storm increased and the thunder rolled YET
more iearny, and the lightning shivered the SKY
all round, ever and anon binding the awe
struck singers, the sceUe was one OF the mos
f.arlully impressive ever vouchsafed to NOR
tails. Above the deep diapason OF the thunder
the solemn "i)cS jrGe' arose. jehovah
voice resouudng louder than ten thOusan(
tbuuders," was illustrated by the deep thun
ders themselves, seeming as the voice OF th'
''Rcr tremeal,, mGieSt0tj> - The ArchanseI'
voice seemed to be ringing thro' the sepuIchra
vaults, euyeloped in tall of clouds aud dark
ness The sombrc Day OF Warning Day o
Mourning :" was ushered in with 4 tremendou
peal earth and heaven seemed indeed In dan
ger OF in ashes burning while the deadly
iorked lightning appeared as It might, ever!
moment, bring all teore the Throne
The participants in this carnival of the Store
King will for many a day remember this ini
pressive experience and We have no doubt
will interpret, in their coming concerts, th
grand compositions above referred to in ye
more expressive manner Than ever before, aite
this rehearsal with the King of the Elements
and such au accompaniment Of thuader, hgh,
ming, wind, hail and rain.
IT