New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-19
81 USIG.
GLEE AND MADRIGAL CONCERT.

GLEE AND MADRIGAL CONCERT.
There is no more decided evidence of the
progress OF this city than is to be found in the
great increase the number OF musical organizations
These have sprung up every side within few years
past and many OF them in the habit OF giving private
concerts in the large public halls 20 which many two
three thousand persons invited Such concert
that given few evenings since by the club under the
direction Of Mr. Rivarde at Apollo Hail. and OF tho same
kind that given Wednesday at Stenway Hall by
the Church Music Association. On Wednesday evening
of next week two other amateur organizations give pr
vate concerts the Eight O'Clock Club, Society under
Mr. Abelas direction devoted Italian music, and the
Mendessohn Glee Club. Of which Mr. Moscntha is the
conductor and which is composed OF male voices and
practices only German part songs. Tho Church Music
Association gives itself 10 the study Of Mass music and
such largo works Won Webers ODeron, while
tho Rivarde Club in turn IL exclusively Italian
IN IFS lncnations. But one Of these Societies
has possessed itself OF such delightful field as that occu
pied By tho Madgga Society that gave It's first concert OF
the at steInway Hall last evening In the days
when the Italian composers severe IN their
studies and IN their works than they at present. they
gave themselves much to the production OF madriga
music But Italy has forgotten AL its cunning in this d.
reotion. and England became tho nherOr OF its know
ledge. Ford and Morley aud Wilbye aud Brewer applied
their erudtOn to tho production Of tins class Of
composition Simple general structure. but full Of
subtle knowledge Of counterpart Of quaint and unex
Dcced cOnccits OF varied harmOniGs OF sklful treat
OF the middle voices these compositions at the
time charming to the uncultvaed car and full OF
tho prooundest musician Nor can the study
Of them fail TO repay those who engage III IT, by rehnng
and culivatng taste for the highest forms Of vocal art
1t was pleasant therefore, find MI JOhnsons Society
so heartily greeted and warmly appreciated was
by the largo audience that filed Seinway Hall last eve
ming.
The voices are still somewhat rough and lacking In the
fine polish that comes only from long training and habit
OF singing constantly together, but they gave the spirit
of the with excellent effect. with much pre-
cson and regard light and shade. and to the points
good part singing and which their leader
knows well
Some of the madrigas those sung by the Society
last Winter Others and of these latter the
most enjoyable were, perhaps, the two shakesperan
gees by Stevens. 81 Blow Blow, thou Winter Wind and
Ye Spotted Snakes" OF the two II Is difficult TO say
which was better Nj Johnson In the rstnamed gee has
made the innovation Of contrasting the andante with the
allegro by assigning the former 70 single quartette the
latter to the chorus that resulted with
excellent effect Most of the singers were amateurs and
too close criticism would be perhaps somewhat ungra
cIous especially there much that was en-
tirely praiseworthy
The piece that most remarkable OF all on the pro
gramme both for its exquisite poeical beauty as COM
position and also for the thorough finish with which 1t
was given. was, beyond doubt Horsley's glee " BY
Celas Arbor" The almost aultless singing OF this com
position reflected the greatest credit upon Miss Hutch
ings and Messrs Roosevelt, Roper. and Keith
The programme was properly varied with earnest and
quiet madrgals, and some bright and humorous ones
OF the class Fords There Is Ladie Sweete
and Kinde composed in 1907 and written in one Of the
old ecclesiastical keys much affected by the early com.
posers but seldom resored TO, though they have
weird. quaint beauty of their own and surprise and
delight by the unexpectedness OF their intervals Gounod
has in several instances resorted with good effect to
these almost forgotten modes. for instance IN the
King OF Thule in Faust.
We trust that this Society will recruit its strength with
some good the deficiency IN which respect
was quito manifest of the quartets sung and that
they will hold together and continue in tho good work
work they have In hand.