The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-01-13

evening was characterized by the fine selection
| of compositions and the admirable skill of rem
dtion for which this society has gained an un-
surpassed reputation. We have already spoken
| in detail, in former articles, of the various
points of excellence which are constantly dis
played in the performances of the Haydns-and
of last evenings concert we will merely say
that they fully sustained their well-won pres
tige.
The first part of the concert opened with YER
dis grand chorus from E,ndni Essentially
dramatic in treatment-this chorus loses much
in its English adaptation to words wildly diff
fering from those of the libretto, and in being
deprived of the aids of scenery and action-of
the calm figure of the king who sings his noble,
pathetic prayer for mercy md wisdom; of the
outlawed Ernani; of Elvira, made wild by al
ternate hope and fear; of the glittering crowd,
that seems to illumine the CORY arches of the
tombs of dead kings in the crypts of Aix-la-
Chapelle. But the superb singing of the Hay
dns went far to compensate for all. Especially
noticeable were the clear, ringing tones of the
soprani, readily ascending to B fiat it alt
In the part-song Farewell to the Forest"
the chorus displayed its perfection in training.
Mr.. c. H. Mcclellan was exceedingly happy
in his singing of Mendelsshon's vivacious song
"The Roamer." His fine basso and spirited
style gave great pleasure to the audience, draw
ing from them an encore, to which he gave
German drinking song
Mr.. Kotzschmar, yielding to the often-ex-
pressed wish of the public and the press. al
lowed himself to be heard as soloist 1t is
6iff3nuIf 70 49, bo
this artist that shall not sound trte-so we'll
known are his power, delcacy, brilliancy, ac-
curacy-in brief, all that indicates the artistic
culture of thoroughly musical nature Mr..
Kotzschmars versatility and sympathetic ap.
probation were evidenced in his selections:
which iccluded movements from Mozart's great
G minor sonata; a brilliant ''Impromptu" by
Schubert; Schumanns sngularly beautiful
Scherzino, op. g. ;and Laendler waltz by the
same composer, in which the recurrence of the
accent on the second note of the measure gives
the characteristic effects of the peoples dance
In the noble figure by Handel, Mr. Kotzsch-
mar was no less admirable than in his other
selections. Every note fell clear and telling
from his fingers; and his large, digniied phras-
ing was finely displayed.
The second part of the concert was devoted
to the performance of Mendelsshon's "Hymn
of Praise" The cantata begins with the
chorus, GAN that has life and BREATH which
after the effective opening contains difficult fig
ure passages, and which was sung with great
spirit and precision.
Mrs. Wetherbee's beautiful voice and STYLE
found scope in the air with mi-chorus, ssPraise
thou the Lord; and her crystal tones were
supported by the voices of the soprani and ahi
who sang with much expression and finish
The debut in oratario of Mr. Pennell was
very successful, as was to be expected from his
fine singing in the choir of the First Parish
Church. His voice is sweet, delicate and SYM
pathetic, with clear and warm quality of tone
and sufficient power He is evidently an earn
est student. and will be valuable addition to
the list of fine tenor singers. He sang the re-
citative with manly and refined expression, and
displayed his smooth cant0bile in the aria,
''Sing We praise, all We redeemed of the Lord
The succeeding chorus was beautifully sung
and the perfect pidnissimo of the Haydns was
greatly appreciated.
Mrs. Wetherbee and Mrs. Cloudy divided the
honors of the duet with chorus IL waited for
the Lord,' which is one of the most enjoyable
numbers of the cantata. Mr.. Pennell sang
with much effect the aria 'The sorrows of
death" aud Mrs Wetherbee's brilliant voice, in
the phrase, ''The night is departing was like
sudden sunbeam. The cho-al, "Let all men
praise the Lord" and the duet for soprano and
tenor were finely sung The closing chorus,
Eye nations" which presents great difficulties
was triumphant]y sung by the Haydns, to the
last note of the theme, "All that has life,"
which, with increased emphasis, ends, as it be
gan, the cantata.
Great credit is due to Mrs. Gosse, the pianiste
of the Haydn Association for the forcible, SYM
pathic and effective manner in which she &C
companied the singers. Mendelssohn's accom-
paniments are exceedingly elaborate and diff
cult, and is no easy task for piano soloist to
supply the place of an orchestra. The society
is very fortunate in the possession of a pianiste
so competent and so interested. We hope that
under Mr.. Kotzschmars admirable guidance,
the Haydns may study ard perform in public
some of the great works which are compare
lively unknown in America, for instance Han
dePs Theodorp, Jeptha, Solomon, and Acis and
Galatea; and Bach's immortal Passion-Music.
To such ch orus, with such conductor, no
musical triumph need be impossible.