The New York herald., 1873-10-20
ST. ANN,s ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
| Sermon Faith by the Rev. Father
| Prestcn-Dachauer,sS Second Mas.

Sermon on Faith by the Rev. Father
Prestcn-Dachauer'sS Second Mass.
The Rev. Father Preston preached at the gospel
OF the high mass yesterday on the healing OF the
rulers sick son at Capharnaum. He drew con-
cusion from the words OF our Saviour in rgference
TO the necessity OF faith Faith, he said, Is the
distinguishing characteristic of the Catholic
Church, outside OF 1t there is nothing to guide
one in the pursuit of religion but individual judg
ment, which is necessarily fallible. The ceeorant
was the Rev. Fether Lake, and the beautiful little
church looked as attractive as ever in the twink
ling lights OF the affairs, the varied hues cast on
tie tesselated floor from the stained glass WIN
dows, through which peeped the MONDAY sun.
THE MASS
selected for the occasion was the work which the
organist of the church. NJ. Louis Dachauer, wrote
many years ago. in Paris for the celebrated Church
OF st. Eustache. Among those who sang in 1t at
Its first production were Grisi and Alboni, and II
has become standard work in church music in
Europe. OF course its full effect can only be at
tanned with the assistance OF large chorus and
orchestra But with the lnimltabe vocal quartet
OF which the choir of st. AIMS consists very IN
telligent idea OF the grandeur of the work was OBJ
tanned.
The 'Kyrie," in minor, is a stately, effective
number, showing to advantage the rare talents OF
the composer in skilfully using his contrapuntal
knowledge The harmonies are constantly chang
made subservient to the governing subject
with which the mass opens The "GlorIa"
begins with a fanfare, and the treatment at the
commencement, although simple in construction,
is exceedingly effective. The change rom the Key
OF major to major in the "Gratias Agimus" for
tenor is ingenious surprise. The most attractive
feature in this number, however, Is the duet for
female voices, '.Qul Tolls" IL Is Rossinian in its
eXuberance OF rich melody and although as norld
as selection from "Semiramide," yet the spirit
breathed into it by Miles. Corradi and Gomien was
entirely devotional Both OF these ladies' seem TO
understand the true meaning OF Catholic music
and never forget the church for the concert room
The "Credo- has the novel feature OF presenting
each declaration in the belief OF Christian doctrines
in Gregorian chant, which under sueh circum-
stances becomes exceedingly impressive. The
bass has fine solo OF the decamatory order, com.
mencing wish the words "Patrem Omnipotentem," !"
and after an interude OF Gregorian is followed by
the tenor. The Et Incarnatus est" is divided into
two beautiful quartets the one for male voices
and the other for soprani and alti The staccato
passages for two bassoons which accompany the
peculiar monotone OF the male voices IN singing
..Crucfxus,r ~ which Is taken up after four bars by
the ladies a major third in tone above give
dramatic effect this Illustration in music OF the
Divine tragedy.
THE SECOND COMING OF THE SON OF NAN
is expressed by diminished sevenths, the whole
choir declaiming at intervals this last dread mys-
terry The 'Sanctusr is full of rich, sustained har
mony and in its original orchestral setting must be
very effective. Instead OF the "Agnus Dei.n tenor
solo belonging to this work, NJ Dachauer pre-
sented work by Felix Godefrod. Ii was sung
by Mlle Gomien, and nothing could be more
pleasurabe than the rich sympathetic tones OF this
beautiful melody. Mile. Gomien clothes with the
ralment and ornaments OF true expression holi-
ness OF thought and sympathetic fervor every
sacred melody she sings. The skill Of the organist,
N. Dachauer, in the accompaniment OF such
work, enhanced TO a considerable extent the sue
cess OF the choir.