The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-03-05
SOME NEW BOOKS

Of Boston. Mr.. Dwight has been TO a great extent
the musical educator Of Boston and OF those cities
thst lie about IT, To him more than to any other
is due the high standard Of musical culture aud
appreciation which exists in Tint city. For eighteen
years he has edited there his Journal Of Nasic, aud
no other journal devoted to That art was ever more
persistently directed to high aims, or refused 40
braveiy TO bow the knee 10 a thing that wss low or
unworthy. II was fitting then that Mr.. Dwi thts
labors in behalf OF what was hi chest and nOblcst in
art should eliminate this congenia task OF setting
TO fitting English words the divine music that Bach
has written In commemorl'ion of the suieriugs aud
death OF the Saviour THIS is the meaning o. the
word passon-music as applied to this composition.
Bach, whose mind was eminently devotiI nal, and
who sought to do for the Protestant Church tho
came service that Haydn and Mozart rendered to
the Catholic, wrote several of these passions; but
two OF them, however, have been printed, that
according to ST. john" AMI the one now published
by Ditson, according to St. Matthew" At the
time that this written. Bach was the cantor
OF st. Thomas school, aud hal direction VI tie
music at the churches of st. Nicholas and st.
Thomas where 1t was sung. the text used is that
found In the Goth and 2Ith chapters OF st. Matthew.
These words however, are not strictly followed, for
running through the whole work is a series of mu-
steal monologucs, consisting Of earnest and devo'
tional reflections the crcum stances Of the Pas
sion, resembling slghtly some u tie ancient hymns
OF the Catholic Church, such the .StaJdt Mater.
interviewer with these are the noble chorals Vi
the Reformed German Church. The work was very
fully scored, being for two compile choirs, consist
ing Of soloists, orchestra, and chorus.
The translation that Mr.. Dwi.ht has made is ono
Of sroat excellence He has preve1 the simplicity
and LONELINESS Of the German original from sinking
in his translation into feebenci4 or triylity, and
,fI NJ Ia .fttI
to the text. There are few men who possess TIE
double qualification OF thorough musical knowledge
and higa literary ability and taste that requisite
to one who undertakes TO ally two hundred PAGES Of
printed music TO fitting words. 1t Is an nmense
task, and requires great patience and tact aud va
riod ability, especially where, In this instance,
the version IL rhymed one. Mr.. Dwight has
complshed tue labor OF translation in tho true spirit
Of the orr ,ina with reverence for the composer,
and deep and earnest respect for the work. Tie
music OF which we speak, thoIgh quaint In form.
ia Of the hghes, expressions OF devotional feel
ing that were ever given through the medium Of mu
sic. To the people OF this country 1t has been, until
now. sealed book. IS to be hoped that this new
edition will stimulate choral societies to make
study Off ALREADY the Boston Handel and Has dn
Society have It In rriicarsal. There doubtless
very many in this city who hope that the Harmonic
Society or some kindred organization will not be
long in following the good example.
There are two sorts Of fcton-what could have
been fact and what could not Then Of the hrst
sort there are two sorts-that which Il worth print
ing and reading, aud that which is not and OF the
two, BttiHf he Scenes, a Story Of ne Stage (Ncw
England News Company, belongs to the former class
II curious how when tho public taste Of that
sort OF fiction which Is tbs much truer than fact,
that II consists OF facts boiled down and condensed,
facts seen into a. with microscope, facts That ar
peal 10 universal consciousness, 1t ehcrshcs Il and
grows wiser.
Those who believe In childhood as a permaneu,
element in human nature and in the necessity Of
Smusements and arts will welcome this little NOR
sci Of earnest ami truthful writing The theatrical
profession, as everybody knows, more tlan an
other in the world kept full b. breeding In and in
II receives very few recruits from tie outside ana
perhaps the greater part OF these to their ruin
rather than its benefit. Hence that terrible
tonalty which often makes the theatre dullor III
a church. But ouUe in a great wIC the stare wOrl
much AGAINST its own will and judgment. does get
spur, OF freshlbood into its veins and thus T.; has
been kept alive IRON age to age, and will be- lc,
hope, more and more, time without end.
The anonymous writer of this stor, has followed
nom childhood two female recruits OF the stage,
one that went upward, and the other down. No
moral l. attempted. There is nothing but actual
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~, ~" "N"'' ~ ' ''S0' al" ~ 90 '"'
N"flllloh' IRON tle Mosaic law Mha.cNer We may
con slider them.
-. -. T. 80 t. =. -. I'll 49, l.
N'"'' may w '"' III P'VUN Us "'H w. J"
prose- ana Mrs. JfriHghaU's Journal (Scribucri
'eHs w. ''' very heNN IN ho"lhs verse Inc
narrative Il ono fam lar cnou- n % every rcal Ter OF
1c,io, von,g lti.lo martial 4, rt .n ,i,.z mn,
io'e' hfts hhu "ai'kcsi ne becomes Jelous ana
goes TO Spain; on his return he trc'ts her c., ny;
she bcgn. IN ovo hin, no f.. uc,r liIl.I NJ, mn ,c
.,,., - -,
ZACH otb.r f,- not ard al Tho n,-r a, ,te author