The New York herald., 1876-11-27
THE PATRONESS OF MUSIC

CELEBRATION OF ST. cEcIIIA's FESTIVAL
LECTURE OF REV. Dir. DRANN on "MusIC
AND RELIGION"
Al ST. cecilias Roman Catholic church in lo5ih
street, yesterday, tho festival OF tho patroness OF
music, aftcr whom the church 10 named was ceIe-
brated with unusual pomp and ceremony. Rev.
Father Kcan preached AZ tho morning services,
making tho hfc and character Of the saint
his theme, and commanding both 10 tho youth OF
day as worthy Of their study and emulation. In the
evening the grand services OF the day occurred,
special musical vespsrs being interpreted by we'll
selected choir and subject appropriate TO hs occa
sion receiving treatment at the hands OF Rev. DR..
Brann. not to speak OF religious ceremonies OF pecul
iariy grand and imposing character The church itself
presented spectacle last night In keeping with the
occasion. Crimson drapery :rnged with gold and
wrought with golden traccry depended from the cciI
Ing and formed glowing vista, ~ the extremity OF
which the altar appeared blazing with lights and
diant with flowers. Up above It, with the glare OF
score OF tapcrs falling full upon IT, was magnificent
painting OF musics patron saint Tyre in hand and
with eyes turned to heaven In ecsacy OF devotion.
Cardinal McCoskcy was TO have of1cated last night,
but owing TO indsposton, which the incemcns
weather would DO likely to augment, His Em,nence
falei 10 attend, his place being occupied by Vicar
General Quinn. He filled tho functions OF chief
ceicbrant, ana was assisted by Fathers Lynch and
Kesser Father Fatcry the pastor church. acted
ms master OF ceremonies. Ou the appearance Of tho
Clergy before the altar the organ ntoned grand open
ing anthem, which soon gave way to Blanchi's ves-
pcss n composition which Is musical gem In its
way, aud which very effectively rendered by =
choir consisting OF twelve operate artists among
whom ware Nine. DAVIS and Mcssrs wcinlich,
choir OF the church-Mrs Edsy, soprano; Miss
Atkinson, alto; Mr.. Atkinson. tenor, and MI
organ, and, with . dnc orchestral panimcnt,
rendered repertoire Of his own composing. Toward
Rev. Dr. Brann delivered q discourse upon music
aud It's relation 10 religion. II was the province
purposes whatever might be OF utility . means oi
incitins devotion. and in al especial way what
ever, had particular appropriateness as ART Music
and painting had both been made oi service by tho
Church, and with wisdom. For who could iooK upon
The windows OF the church, glowing with
icrpiecc Of The painters ART, illuminated by
the great source Of light, without catching the
s soul mn cd IN Soyopa ns concerns OF ,h,s me 10 az
appreciation OF the joys OF Heaven and he beauty OF
III. sanity character In the same way who there
bend before the altar OF God and drink the soft
strains OF the organ aud tho vocal melody OF the choir
'nsrIrc.. as 'ney are, by Christian devotion
himself drawn into sympathy with the glorious
anthems anu having his icart purified and cxatcdy
chant limit tho cathol,cty Of the Church. They have
10 admit that arr IL necdiul. bat they would have
thc Church encourage arr IN It's CrudcSt SsAte Tho
plan chant belongs thc monastery; IL ~ sttuned
the severity o the ascetic life. and i breashcs only
The spirit Of tho pennent regret or tho mourniul
note Of. tho sorrow-burdened's lamcntaton. Il
is fitted for the services OF Holy Week.
Tor the .Dies Irn," for the wailing OF
jeremiah; but il cannot express the Joy aud rapture
the .siora in Exceisis-" Tho .Gioria" IN some
points resembles tho PLAIN chant; but many 10
1t quito unlike H. and finds It's grandes iss trucst
Interpretation in MOzart's mAstsrpicce-Ihs sTwsth
Mass'' In IL, when that glorious pecan sweIls
oct. the joy OF angels and OF men
world redeemed Is 10 be indicated by Il, and
90 effect this end the great master has brought
Eeth,r and woven into It all the sounds that
most delight the ear. The notes OF BIRDS the
1nc'odious ripple OF waters tho soft music Of shc
breeze, all have been blended in that great hymn
s praise and cxaitat0n. But Mozart fails
pane works 10 catch the spirit oi religious
INSPIRATION, and does interpret by note what Is
pressed by word This IS wnat religious music re-
lures. II Wagner applied MS theories 10 the music
pf the Church he would find them tangible mud gener-
ally accepted Its functions TO teach. 10 express
IDEAS by sounds and, unko tho music OF the opera,
ihis only be achieved by the adoption OF the
principles OF Wagner school aud applying them Dr.
Brown then passed glowing panegyric upon tho pat
roness OF music, aud the whole ceremony brought
10 v close about ten o'clock.