The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-05-10
Haydn,s Creation.

AS this celebrated oratorio is about to be
given in our city by both vocal and instrument
tai talent of a high order, and to be rendered,
az we trust and believe, in style commensu-
rate with the grandeur and beauty of its mu-.
sic. our geaders may wish to know how long it
has stood the test of time, and the Judgment
DIN. it's distinguished author, was born March
81 1882, about forty miles from Vienna, one
hundred and thirty-seven years ago. Haydn
visited London in 1870, and for the first time
heard Handels music, which deeply Impress
ed him. This sublime music had such an effect
upon Haydn, then more than sixty years old
and celebrated as musical author of remark
able powers that he said "Handel is the faith
er of us all'' Haydn's father was wheel
wright and church sexton, and his mother
before marriage, was cook in chateau, and
we trust good one. They were both good
singers Genius knows no SEX and is confin-
ed within no narrow circle. 1t is quite as like
ly to emanate from wheelwrights and cooks as
from royal blood.
Thus inspired by Handlers music, Haydn
began to compose the Creation when he was
about sixty-three years old, and labored upon
it two whole years before he completed the
great composition. 1t is said that Handel wrote
the Messiah in less than a month. For the
first time the Creation was performed at Eas-
ter in 1898, more than seventy years ago, the
author himself conducting the performance.
The Delittanti Society of Vienna paid the ex-
penses of it, having purchased the work of
Haydn. The first audience to hear it was
composed of the literary men and amateur mu-
sicians of that city. The music was at once
appreciated, and, high as the author stood be-
fore this celebrated composition, raised him
higher on the roll of fame. Now for more than
seventy years this oratorio has been before the
public, and is still more and more appreciated
every year. We venture the opinion that it is,
take i. all in all, the best, the most varied, the
most beautiful, the most sublime musical com
position human genius has ever produced. The
author chose the grandest theme-the creation
of new world-within the possibility of the
human intellect, and his genius proved equal
to the task. That Haydn was specially in
spired for this great work we have no reason
to doubt But for this grand composition we
could not have known the full power of music,
and He who made the heavens and the earth
inspired Haydn to give as that knowledge of
the divine art and to show us mortals how ex-
seedingly valuable and precious is the gift.
Now our musicians have taken hold of this
great work in good earnest and under favora-
BILE auspices, and we trust and believe our citi-
zens will sustain them in carrying out this
laudable enterprise. The object is, not only to
improve themselves in the practice of music,
but also to sultivate higher public taste for
t, and 20 secure funds as basis of a musical
association, which shall be permanent insti-
tuition of our city. In city like ours, society
is not perfect in all its parts without such an
organization. Other cities in our own State
have such associations in successful operation,
and shall Portland remain in the background?
We hope not. 1t is for our citizens to say.
With them is the power. The musical talent
of Portland only needs a little stimulus, and
now it waits for it. If it is given, as we be-
lieve it will be, then this talent will be COM
bined and an association formed, which will be
an honor and blessing to our city.
Let parents understand that their children
will receive great benefit from such an organi-
cation. We think we know that the perform
ance of this oratorio will be the grandest and
most pleasing exhibition ever given in our city.
And now, in closing, we say to our citizens of
all classes, secure your tickets of admission
early, and let our spacious hall be filled with a
brilliant and appreciative audience, remember
ing that those who thus encourage this noble
undertaking will, like mercy, be thrice blessed,
blessing those who give and those who receive.
Let us, then, turn out on this occasion in full
numbers. and give an impulse to this move
ment which shall be its lite through many gen.
erations.