The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-01-06
p,;ne,. ora,orio of St. Peter.

paiue,s Oratorio of 81. Peter.
The publication of an oratorio of high RAM
Inv an American composer has awakened dea
of interest In our musical circles. The compos
or is onr whilom townsmaD, Mr.. John knowles
pa;ne now connected with Harvard University
in the denartment of music. 1t is well known
that he studied in Germany for considerable
time, ard while there composed mass winch
possesses decided elements OF power, out "hicn
has, we believe, never been presented oefofe
an American audience.
There is a singular coincidence connected
with the title of this oratorio. Sir Jules behe-
dict, German composer resident IN England,
has just presented the public there with an
oratorio bearing the same title. The two COM
| posers have been at work at the same time
upon the same theme, unknown to each other
| Though the titles are the same, the plans OF
treatment are entirely different Both possess
| peculiar merits, and neither will detract from
the favor deservedly belonging to the other
A very competent and impartial Boston mus
ical critic has made thorough study of this
oratorio, and has published the result of his
analysis in the Boston AdUertiser. We should
like to give the criticism, bnt on account of its
length are obliged to contine ourselves to the
following synopsis:
Opening with an ably written orchestral
movement, significant of the state of the soul
in agitation and hope during its transition from
the darkness of sin to the light of repentance,
the solemn opening chorus introduces the words
THE time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of
Heaven is at hand" The interest is continued
hy a +I,o StRapant and bplipVp
the glad tidings'' A change of mood which
the ''glad tidings" bring is expressed by rich
flowing musical phrase The call of Peter next
follows, where Jesns summons the humble fish
erman to become fisher of men, and is vivid
ly expressed. Then twelve male voices, first in
unison then in four part harmony, followed by
the full chorus, intensity the spirit of devotion
by the words, swe 60 before the face of the
Lord to prepare his way" and i'll matter and
treatment this is worthy of composers whose
names have long been numbered among the
great. grand example of recitatiye painting
is the fine choral, Through whose mercy the
day spring from oil high hath visited u.s. in
Producing the recitative "Whom do men say
that amp The well known reply of Peter to
which question, Thou art Christ, the Son of
voice, responded to by the trumpets and from
bones. The building of the church upon Christ
as the chief corner stone may be called a
spelendid specimen of musical architecture.
The theme, "This is the Lord 5 doing it is mar
vellous in our eyes,, is complete in its artistic
details, aud may take rank with Handeps
"Wonderful Counsellor or Mendelssohn's ex-
quisite contrast between the chorusof Heathens
Jews and Christians in ''St. Paul.
But is is impossible to go on and describe the |
whole work. let it suffice to say that while it |
will not fail to please the professional music
ans, it will also be acceptable to the popular |
esr which Graves melody. There are some very |
sweet and tender passages, Others plaintive and
devotional, others still that are sublime. Per-
haps there is nothing capable of being detached |
from the body of the work and becoming pop
liar like Handeps II kisow that my Redeenaer
iUeth," or Mendelssohn's 'If aoih all your
hearts," still the oratorio will commend itself
rs whole for unity of design, eyenness of
treatment, and originality and deep religious
feeling, AMI the authors ability to use an or
,hestra effectively, and his skill in voice writ
ing is demonstrated. The words are taken en-
Iirely from the Bible, and the life and charac-
tar of st. Peter are adhered to in the recitations
and chorusses.
There are of course solo parts for soprano,
tenor and bass singers One espec-
tally beautiful theme is a chorns of angels,
Remember from whence thou art fallen"
performed by select number of female voices
accompanied by harp, taken up by full
chorus at intervals, and so arranged that
glimpses of harp music are heard between the
voice parts. Again, in the fne quartette, "Feed
the Flock of God,'' the mellow reed Of an En-
glish bora obligato a Ids its pastoral tinls to
musical picture, which once heard will not
soon fade from the memory. The whole work
IS peculiarly adapted to the organ, of which |
glorious instrument and its powers the COM
poser is himself so fine an Interpreter.
We understand that it would be far from dis
pleasing to the author to have this new oratorio
brought out for the first time in his native city,
and accordingly the Haydn Association have
decided to begin (this evening, we belieye) the
study of st. Peter" It will doubtless be pro-
duced before our citizens at an early day.
The best musical societies of Boston are also
expected 10 take it up for practice Immediately. |