The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-16
CINCINNATI MUSICAL FESTIVAL.
INFLUENCE OF THE DIVINE ART-wHAT A
WESTERN CHORUS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS FOR
FUTURE FESTIVALS.

INFLUENCE OF THE DIVINE ART-wHAT A
WESTERN CHORUS AccoAPLIsHED-HIETs FOR
FUTURE FESTIVALS
CINCINNATI May l3. 1875.
There Is much 10 admire aud TO commend in the
heartiness and unanlmity with which the people
here have entered into the spirit OF the festival
which Is now drawing TO a close. The entire city
has been decorated 10 an extent that seems mar
velous, aud the houses that do not display bunt-
ing are exceptions TO The general rule. The fes-
tival IL also q very distinct affair from German
sangerfest, being entirely American IN Its incep-
tion, in its organization aud In Its patronage.
Tue influence which IL has exercised here and
in the surrounding communities is mcac uiable.
The names OF Bach. Beethoven. Mendelssohn
and Wagner have become household words, and
the intricaeles OF classical music which have puz.
zled more learned brains than or the citizens
on the banks OF the 0nlo, are being studied as u
great problem by people VINO probably never heard
OF them before. IL may be tnat lew or the many
who attended the festival really understand any,
thing about tue music performed AZ each concert,
bur the intention OF Mr.. Thomas As an uncom-
promising scnoalmaster IS TO keep BANGING away
In the ears Uf the puoiic un I'll ne cures them OF all
predictions for oDerd bOuge salon dIttles and
trashy ballads II mas been objected that the pub
lie 60 not take kindly TO the abstruse theories OF
tue extreme school in which Mr.. Thomas takes
such a lively interest, but stiIl the standard or
music held up by this American apostle OF toe 0ivine
art Is SO hlen that even II his hearers fall little
less. gam In taste and culture lar beyond their
most sanguine expectations. IL Is always better
in art TO aim at the best aud highest. The pro-
grammes OF Mr.. Thomas have been made out WIN
the most entire conndence IN the powers OF tue
chorus. otherwise ne would not venture TO IN
trust IN their hands such colossal works as the
.Triumphiied" OF Brahms, the 'Magnincat' or
Bacd, tue Choral symphony OF Beethoven and the
organizations even Ia Europe that would
venture 10 essay such Titanic task.
But all honor 10 those eight hundred ladies'
anu gentlemen. nearly all residents OF Cincinnati.
who accomplished their work IN a marvellous
manner. considering the difficulties that Deset
them. Mr.. otto singer. formerly OF New YORK., de-
serves hearty commentator for the success wnich
has sttenaed ms long, palnstaking renearsals and
made quite feature Of tue organ music, and con-
triDufsd not little 70 the e1ect OF tine choral
music. Mr. Church brought out In handsome
suI editions OF the various works performed AZ
the festival, many OF which are rare on the other
the festival WI repay the immense outlay OF the
managers aud subscrioers. IL VIII PROBABLY net
Inc influence which this festival must exercise
on musical art IN the West should be o natrering
tnougnt TO Mr. Thomas, after MS years OF toll aud
encourage the formation OF musical societies ia
other cities. remove completely the reproach cast
Sothing Tor art and are wholly given up 10
money making, and VIII 60 tar toward promoting
tnSs LsaGe sno soCa w1 taas !, ,se spscia prov,
festivals 10 every clty. vi an extent nRd attistlc
standard superior 10 tue most boosted ones OF
when the cnOruses Of Handel will b. sung from
New YORK e. san Francisco, as tney are from
LANDS End 30 the CneviOts. III will be a
millennium most de1oaIly TO De wished l0I.
liz 10 70 be hoped that no. only American sugefs.
but also American composers VIII have = chance
10 be heard AZ future festivals. We have many
bright examples Of the latter Kind anu they can
only be escourased by having their WORKS per.
formed Ola sucn occasions. A Brlstow, Tor III
stance. " ALWAYS az welcome ia the programme
a Brahms. Then the experience OF THIS festival
should warn other cities that propose 10 enOark
IN the same enterprise against selecting = A4ll
uestltute OF acoustic qualities. Much Of the efect
OF fne orchestra ana chorus mas Deen lost on this
account. New YORK should now concentrate Gil
lLs energies 70 give festival worthy Of tue
metropolis. possessing as ~ does, the best mus
cal materials In tue country.