The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-07-05
DOM PEDRo's TRIBUTE
TO OUR BIG SHOW.

TO OUR BIG SHOW.
THE BRAZILIAN EMPEROR DIRECTS THE
COMPOSITION OF A CENTENNIAL HYMN TO
THE AMERICAN PEoPLE-wHIOH WILL BE
DULY PERFORMED BY MR.. GILMoRE's
BAND,
From an interesting article In the New
York Herald we learn that when the EN-
petor of Brazil, took an active part In the
inaugural ceremonies of the Centennial
Exposition at Philadelphia, and shared the
honors of such a memorable event with
President Grant, he was particuls ly i'm
pressed with the grandeur of the music
furnished by Mr.. Theodore Thomas and
bis able assistants. He learned that the
Women's Centennial Union intrust-
ed in the hands of Mr..
Thomas the musical programme
Tor the opening Of the exposition, and that
Mr.. Thomas selected the first of living
composers-Richsrd Wsgner-ss the prop.
or exponent Of the divine art for this
grand occasion. The judgment OF Mr..
Thomas has been proved correct, as Wsg-
ner contributed magnificent ID arch for
the occasion, q work which must be heard
| in orchestral form to be fully appreciated.
The emperor, Dom Pedro, thought that
this was a favorable opportunity for
the only American empire to greet
in musical strains the only American
Republic THAT is-the only one worth
spesking of) Accordingly he cabled
ACROSS to Milan to Brsz liam composer,
Senior A. Carlos Comes, who has gained
great renown as an operate composer,
"commandiDg" him to write something in
the shape of Brszilian musical tribute to
the United States. Senior Comes Is
a young Brazilian composer, not yet
hi n L.
since made his mark as q composer.
The command of the emperor, Dom Pedro,
was quickly RESPONDED to. Comes lost no
time, and yesterday the desired work was
received in New York, in orchestral, mill
tary band and piano form. The plano par
tition, published by Ricordi, OF Milan, gives
but faint idea of the magnitude of the
work. The title PAGE reads as follows: ITO
the American people. Hymn for the first
Centennial of the American INDEPENDENCE,
celebrated at Philadelphia, composed by
command Of bis majesty, Dom Pedro H.,
emperor OF the Brazil, by A. Carlos Comes"
THE AMkR,oAN FLAG
appears with the original thirteen stars in
this page. The hymn is conceived in q
broad, impressive style. There is little to
charm the popular ear in it, or even to
please the average opera or concert-goer.
1t is very ambitious attempt, probably
higS her than ever the composer essayed be-
tore. We have now before us the piano
score, the psrtitur for orchestra and the
same for military band. 1t Is very heavily
scored, more so even than Wagner's Gen.
different direction. There is q
strong, we might say desperate
effort to initiate the style of the Great
Mogul of Balreuth. But Wagner is 8
dangerous musical author to copy after.
What is sublime in his hands becomes a
csricsture In those of others. Yet Comes,
Notwithstanding a palpable tendency to-
ward Magnetism displayed in this work,
has contrived to give larger amount of fire
and vitality as well as originality in
some respects. He seems to have had in his
"mipd's eye" in the composition of the
work the following idess-a prayer,
TRIUMPHAL MARCH
and chorus, national or worldwide In
It's character. There is something solemn
and chant-like in the opening Andsnte
Msestoso in "a time. 1t is in the key of
D major. The opening theme, a
very simple and short one, Is
the key tt the entire hymn.
The composer wishes that not less than 800
instrumentalists should take part in the
QreJ prOOuctlOn OF tnls WOrk. we Lnlnk
that large chorus would also be required.
The work may be q success when given
with large band and orchesl rs and chorus;
but as a work of srt it can not compare
with the great works, written
on somewhat similar subject
by score of living COM
possrs. Comes has much to learn aud
much to study before an orchestral work
from his hands can reach even the lowest
step OF the pedestal of the temple in which
the statue of Richard Wagner is en-
shrined. Mr.. p. s. Gilmore has received
the hymn and he will produce 1t at All
early date in style BETTING the occasion
for w bich 1t was written ana worthy OF the
ranoWn of the leader and his incompatible