Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-03-13
Central Musical Association.


It would seem that the cultivation Of music is
becoming more universal throughout the civil
lied world The earlier ages had their great
masters" but in later times, and especially IN
this country the divine art" like intelligence,
Is being rapidly disseminated among all classes
Of people OF course this is good tidings to all
who have an car to hear" The progress made
in this regard in our own State, during the last
decade, is both surprising and gratifying. Ana
probably no one organization has been more in
strumental in achieving this result than the Cen
trail Vermont Musical Association, which held
It's seventh annual session in this place last week.
under the most competent leadership OF Col IL.
D. IlorkiNs Numerically, as well as in point OF
talent, we DO not think the chorus on this oc-
casion was quite up to the average standard OF
the preceding conventions. The tenor was far
superior 10 anything we ever heard from this
source the alto and base were also unusually
excellent but the great drawback seemed to be
with the soprano, which was decidedly weak and
insufficient to maintain its part. The cantata'
" The Power Of Song" by Rombcrg, was not as
successfully rendered as it would have been IL It
had received more careful study. 1t is of course
a beautiful composition, but was produced
at great disadvantage, not having received the
patient study and elaborate drill necessary 70
guarantee its being successfully presented. il
they had omitted it altogether, and substituted
the ,chole Of the other cantata, " As the Hart
Pants. " which, if we remember Alright, has some
fine solos, DUETS and quintetts, it would have
passed of more credtaby, and given more uni
ver-al satisfaction. Something similar to the
" Gypsy Chorus, which was finely rendered on
| Thursday evening, although simple in point Of
composition, was better adapted 10 the ability Of
| the chorus. and would have better pleased the
audience.
| Mrs W. n. OLIVER, Of New York fully sus
tanned the favorable impression she made in for
mer visit to our town, as a fine soloist and an ac'
complished lady She has beautiful, clear
aute-like voice. and sings with unusual expires
sion and yiyacity. How we should like to hay,
heard her voice warbling forth some Of those in
trcate passages in tho cantata before alluded to
| Although Mrs Ellsworth, Of st. Adams, is no
a professional it is certainly not for the lack o
merit as a singer, Unquestiouaby she has on
Of the finest contrulto voices in the State, an,
handles it in d manner that shows she has it un-
der perfect control Mr.. TINS, Of Boston, al
though an entire stranger among us, made n sue
ccssiu d,jut, not only az an excellent musician
but also as an urbane and courteous gentleman
lie has a full, powerful, resonant voice, which a
times gives one an idea Of what is meant by tn
rushing Of many waters" lie is profcge q
the celcbnted basso, NJ. W WHITNEY, and bid
fair to achieve distinction in his profession. Mr.
pnuLiPs singing speaks for itself. One SON
never satisfies the audience. lie always has /
appear, noins poleps, a second time, and the
they do not feel satisfied Whenever we hea
Mr. 3. D. IlorKiNs, Of St. Adams, sing. we al
ways feel like folding our arms, closing our eye.
and yielding ourselves up 20 the marvellous beaut
} and richness Of bis tones forever There wa
T something almost celestial in the singing Of hi
last song ON Friday evening" depth Of pathl
which lifted one above the discords Of this life
and bore them away to the infinite rest beyond
The last VI the -oloists, but not the least by an
means were Mrs SuEpARp and her sister, Nj,
, DAS4, Of Ashland, y. II. Although On entir
stranger here, the name of Mrs $. is by no mean
new o. those posted 10 musical matters, she hay
r ing earned the reputation oil being the best Cor
yention accompanies in New England, She
indeed a host. She seemed to make tho Who'll
keyboard speak at once, throughout its entiI
compass. We never heard a lady pianist con
binc such prodgious power with such brillianc
OF tone Miss Dana accompanied her sister
several duets and gave evidence Of marked abb
! ity as pianist. She also materially helped Il
3 Convention with the aid Of her fine alto voice
pocunarily we do not think the Conyentio
was success This was owing somewhat to tn
prevailing storm, and severe weather, but msinl
to the fact that our people did not turn out an
attend the concerts as they should have don,
Thursday evening was a bad night for pedestr
z ans we admit but there was no earthly reaso
' why The hall should not have been filled to repl,
ton on Friday evening,