, 1876-05-07


delphiA this week. Minnie Palmer and N. q.
Goodwin acted At the Eagle Theatre in "Stags
Struck and other burlesques.
MUSIC.
At HOME.
EoMR NEW COMPOSITIONS.
In the absenca of any striking musical an
nouncements for the coming week. and as Von
Bulow aud Gilmore have folded their tents and
moved away, Nc commence our musical Gcreed
this week with an analysis Of two very remark
abls compositions Of American origin,-Dudle7
Bucks cantata, "Thc Centennial Meditation OF
Columbia. ser to Sidney Lanier's te1t, for per-
formauce at Philadelphia, by chorus And orches-
tra, and Otto Singers cantasa, set to Nrz.
Hemans' poem, Tho Pilgrim Fathers" for
performance at Cincinnati this month by the
Harmonic Society and Orchestra.
DUDLEY BrcKs cANTATA.
ne have already printed in THE TRIBUNE q
complete analysis Of this work so that it only
remains for us to make q few general obser-
vatious concerning 1t. We doubt not that tho
careful reader, Notwithstanding some fne points
in it, will experience feeling OF dlsappoint-
ment after perusing the score. It is not work
OF musical genius or inspiration, aud for two
reasons first. because i. WAS written for =
popular abow, to:.order, OF commission, and.
second. because column Of advertisements in
TEE TRIBUNE would be just as inspiring to Mr.
Buck for musical setting as the st.lted STUN
which Mr. Ionier has furnished him. The re-
suit has been that Mr. Buck has not given US
his best work. The Prelude for orchestra gives
the motive tor the whols Oantasa, and
t5sE e;,T' ,ort T. Ssz, Ss very n
numbers which ase exceptions. the Choraie,
From this hundrod-te1raced height which ia
very effective. although not strikingly original
in It's prugressions. and bass solo (page 27),
POGO piu 'te1.s, "long as thine art, which is
very impressive and digni6ed and it set to 9th
Ct words would speedily become favorite in tho
concert-room. The accomplishments are we'll
scored for the orchestra and tbs final fugue for
the voices is we'll placed. Az whole, however,
the 1ork lacks unity and inspiration. But who
could be infpired over euch words n These
which are faiF sample Of tho vhole7
jamestown, ont Of thee=
Plymouth, thee-thee, Albany
Winter cries 70 freeze awayI
FeveF cries Ys burn awayl
ETC., etc., etc, etc.
orro SINGERS cANrArA.
Another Centennial Offering, and by far tho
most important which has come to our notice, Is
the cantata "The Landing OF tbs Plgrims,'
Set to Mrs. Hemans' poem by oue Of our Ger
mhn-American composers, Otto Singer, Mr.
ThomSs' feld-marshal at Cincinnati year ago,
and now leader OF tho Harmonic Society in that
city. Being disc iple Of the modern school
(the score before us tempts Us to say master In
it), his work viii be welcomed by some and con-
demned BY others, but Ne believe it has that
which will override Ill c1ihcism,-trus musical
n.-and is vithal 10 concise and free
from that prevailing fault of modern compost
tons. "yagueness, and is so practically to ths
point, that it cannot tal to take strong hold On
the listener. The composer Laa been exceeding
II happy in the choice Of the leading theme,
which. pregnant in itself, willingly Assumes
whatever shape the masters hand gives it.
: The cant4ta opens with An instrumental pra-
ludo in 50 time, which gives out the principal
motive as NE afterwards find it set to the words,
- With their hymns Of lofty cheor,'' and truly
lofty cheer It ls' that antique. strong melody.
Breathed softly ut first, from afar it is repeat
ed After rapid crescendo with the whole weight
Of the orchestra, to melt awsy again on an organ
point in more subdued tone color. In the SEC
ond movement (andsnse). it appears IN quadru- |
pie time augmented in its oadence BY 1 chro- !
matio harmony Which serves we'll to enrich the |
wQrKing-up OF this fine piece OF orchestral writ
ing. short interluds containing tbs germ OF 3 !
SECOND thems, which afterwards appears 1t |
tbs words ''This vas their welcome home," |
no" prepares tne entrance OF tho voices. To |
the words. 1.-The breaking waves dash high,"
tue oasaes snd tenors give out the first motive
u triple time ana after declatming the stormy
with when oand Of ex1les moored their
bark On tho wild New England shore."
Ihe tlIne again changing to ~ animato tho
composer very happily contrasts the phrases,
- Not as conqueror cones and ''They the
true-hearted came" Soon, however, the ever
pllable principal theme falls into = martial
stslda, snd very effective setting Of the words.
- Not with ihs ro!! Of stirring drums concludes
49, .sC:Tss H4" euoa1e. aete @ouo"s tno
sqa. = an IL r. gwen ea1 n Inc Beginning
iii chorus Of mixed yoiees hftpr r. og ooaa me
he orchestra, dreaming along in the spell, IS i