The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-05-21
Two Amateur Concerts.

Two societies have given their final concerts
OF the season during the present week both Of
them are composed OF amateurs, and both have un.
dertaken works OF the greatest difficulty, the one
in English music, the other in German. We refer to
the Madrigal Society, under the able direction OF
DIR. Brown, and the Church Music Association led
by Dr. Pecb. Both these societies have upheld and
advanced the standard OF musical taste. the former
number OF voices, and therefore the more
manageable and the more easily moulded; the
Mere Og 'SGss weS %sTe arsaay pro
add gave their attention to finish. All the delicate
points Of oppression were carefully lookol AFTER,
good results OF this study, for the madrigals were
sung To charm, though the chorus was greatly
weakened, especially in the tenor part by the absence
OF many members,
All this was not possible with the Church Music
bilious to accomplish many things. Bcethovens
first mass therefore, which was sung ON WelHes-
day cyening was, IN parts, only roughed out nut
still the llGcs and gentlemen, some two hundred IN
number, wao make up this chorus. deserve great
conmcndat N for the spirited way in which they
have attacked aud conquered the difficulties OF mass
music Astounding IN lugued movements of much
perp' exiiy and probably totally uhliAe anything
the, had been accustomed 10 encounter in musical
way
Or Pech has had n most dincul. POSITION to MI.
1t IL not easy to hold chorus such as his to sehcr
As a general rus, volunteers are not much to be
depended on The Sanitary Commission at the outset
OF tue found that those who came into IL ranks
without compensation usually were OF more harm
| than good. They assumed n certain Independence OF
authority by virtue OF not receiving any compensa-
ton. The Commission accordingly turned them out,
and refused TO accept any services EXCEPT such ~
they paid for. Dr. Pech has chorus OF fashionable
amateurs who have come to rehearsals when they
felt like it. and when no other engagement in
| terfered The marvel H. that when II came to the
point Of performance they succeeded as well as they
did.
II lie to be hoped that both these societies will
preserve their organization, and continue next win
ter the excellent work that they have set on foot
during the past one, There Ia scarcely doubt
that the Church Music Association will hold 10
gether. Already some four thousand dollars OF sub
scriptions have been received for next winter The
Society gives an opportunity 70 muscally inclined
ladies and gentlemen to sing In chorus be
fore select and friendly audience In the
nobest forms OF composition OF the great masters
and one OF the highest pleasures OF vocalist Is to
feel the support and swing OF multitude Of voice.
In the same part, and the powerful support of an
orchestra sustaining, embeshing, and ofnamenting
the vocal parts; There Is not only no Kindred or
ganiziton and none that Affords the same al
vantages In any other city, but there 10 none what
ever that gives mass music. This IL field that tn,
Church Music Association has quite to itself IL h
one also TO which the great composers have giyeI
their most feryent efforts.