The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1876-06-28
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-wHICH WILL BE
DULY PERFORMED BY Mr.. GILMoRE's
BAND.
From an interesting article in the New
York Herald we learn that when the En-
peror of Brazil took an active part in the
inaugural ceremonies of the Centennial
Exposition at Philadelphia, and shared the
bonors of such a memorable event with
President Grant, he was plrticuls ly i'm
pre- ssed with the grandeur of the music
furnished by Mr.. Theodore Thomas and
his able assistants. He learned that the
Women's Centennial Union intTust-
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
comp Isers-Richsrd Wsgner-as the prop
er exponent of the divine art for this
grand occasion. The judgment of MIR.
Thomas has been proved correct, as Wsg-
ner contributed magnificent march for
the occasion, a work which must be heard
in orchestral form to bs fully appreciated.
The emperor, Dom Pedro, thought that
this was q favorable opportunity for
the only American empire to greet
N musical strains the only American
Republic THAT is-the only one worth
speskiDg of) Accordingly he csbled
across to Milan to Rrsz liam composer,
Senior A. Carlos Comes, who has gained
great renOwn as an operate composer.
Commanding" him to write something IN
the shape OF a Brazilian musical tribute to
the United States. Senior Comes is
young Brazilian composer, not yet
thirty years old, and he has long
since made his mark as g composer.
The command of the EN- peror, 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 piano par
| titioD, published by Ricordi, OF Milan, gives
but a faint idea of the magnitude of the
work. The title paae reads as follows: "To
| The American people. Hymn for the first
Centennial of the American independence,
celebrated at Philadelphia, composed by
command of his majesty, Dom Pedro H.,
emperor OF the Brazil, by A. Carlos Comes"
THBAMI B CAN FLAG
appears with the original thirteen stars in
this page. The hymn is conceived in a
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
higher than ever the composer essayed be-
fore. We have now before us the piano
score, the psItitur for orchestra and the
same for military band. 1t is very heavily
scored, more so even than Wsgner's Gem
teDnisl march, but in very
strong, we might say desperate
effort to initiate the style of the Great
Mogul of Balreuth. But Wagner is q
dangerous musical author to copy after
| What Is sublime in his hands becomes q
csricsture In those OF others. Yet Comes,
notwithstanding a pslpsble 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
"mind's eye" in the com position of the
work the following idess--s prayer,
A TRIUMPHAL MARCH
and a chorus, national or worldwide In
its character. There is something solemn
and chant-like in the opening Andsnt,
Msestoso in ga time. 1t is in the KEY O
d major. The opening theme,
very simple and short one, Il
the key t. the entire hymn
The composer wishes that not less than 30
| observation-disclosures should take part In tn,
first production OF this work. We thinl
that large chorus would also be required
The work may be q success when giver
with large band and orchestra and chorus
but as a work of srt it can not compsr
with the great works, writer
on somewhat similar subiec
by score of living com
posers. Comes has much to learn anC
much to study before an orchestral worl
from his hands can reach even the loves
step OF the pedestal of the temple in whici
the statue of Richard Wagner is en-
shrined. Mr.. p. s. Gilmore has receive
the hymn and he will produce it at al
early Gate In style BETTING the occasion
for which it was written and worthy of tn,
renown 1.-THE leader and his Incompatible
band