The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-16
1MJSEMEN1S.
Handlers Judas aeon cus.

IlandePs great and heroic song Of praise
| OF the courage and patriotism shown 10y the
Jews in their conflicts with the Kings Of Syria.
to which he gave the name OF the brave Judas
OF the Maccabecs. was rendered last evening nj
Steinway Hall by the New York Oratorio So
cety under the direction of DIR. Damro-ch
The solo parts were taken by Mrs. Imogcne
Brown. Miss lIennc. Mr.. Joseph Mas. and Mr..
A. T. Soddard.
1t is an event Of much musical Importance
when such Il work is given here, for IL very
rarely happens. And yet. in Handcls own day.
this was his most popular work. II does not
rise TO the majesty Of either the Messiah" or
the " Israel in Egypt" but. on the other hand.
its melodies appeal more directly TO the popular
musical Intelligence: they are quickly appre-
hended being vigorous. marked in their chnr-
acter and often simple in structure. Tho work
owes its strength TO the beauty Of the choruses
rather than TO that ~ the solo parts and To- sin,
II well II distinguished credit to any society
One of lis elements ~ strength is that 1t treats
OF every emotion. from the dcepsst cripfs
and lamentations. such M are heard in tho
opening chorusee. up through all tho grades
ot t'rling TO the song OF victory in some OF
the final choruscs. Its principal source OF
weakness Is the neaErrn"ss Of the necompa-
nmenis. Unhapplly Handel neglected To score
the necompanimcnts To- his great works. He
skrtrhcd IN figured bass often and relied ON
his own masterly hundling Of the organ to I'LL
out and "nis,lish the accompanimenls To- the
solo parts. II Mozart could have done for the
other oratorios the pious work that |, gave 10
the Messiah in filling in the orchestral parts
all would have been we'll
Tho Interpretation given by the society Inst
evening showed strong and marked points OF
excellence. precisely in the features where they
are most needcd-the choral portions. Great
Tor IN" Nigor, correctness. breadth, and pre-
csion which careful dr.ll on the one side and
patient labor on the other have infused into
their work. The fine. breezy, Inspiring hymns
OF an oppressed people, at one moment rousing
each otherto hraN" r. stan '". tho next chant
ing thclr songs OF triumph over victory won,
found admlrnhl" rendering AT tho hands OF ali
the choral artists. Fusion, attack. time, and
cnlvr-all were good. and and an orcas iontal
slight lack of smoothnoss IN some difficult nigh
passages was amply atoned for 10y the general
excellence of the whole. The orchestra, too
though the number Of the strings might have
been largely Increased with advantage to gen
eral richness Of ton" and with no danger of
oNerbearing the powerful chorus. WIS, on the
whole. satisfactory and ny to It's work
Inc sololsts cannot hc SO conscientlously
praised. As the music 81 Muccab"us is
hutnlhg II not martial, strong. and bright. 1t
might, IN strictness, demand something like
CORRESPONDING qualities in the solo cxecutants.
IN inns regard the baritone and coniralto were
palpahly the better. VI iss Hrnue II not n strong
j. AIonsciehtlous and pleasing artist. and Mr..
Ntnlidids clear, YbratHry Wcll-colOrcd bari
tone has only To- Toe freed from u certain throaty
guality-i" result. apparently. OF faulty method
to do efficient service. He sang with correct
h'.s an.i spirit. and was warmly applauded.
Mr.. Mas. however. though agreeable in the
lyr.c sweetness of Il sentimental air or concert
Saka Of the geSs& 9u he re- pIfG lis IN voice tSe
and fire for the music. Mrs Imogene
Brown. 1t may be hoped from Illness
sang her very important share OF the music
WIN a hollow almost sepulchral quality Of
vocal utteran'e and u persistently false ntona-
ton, which marrcd the beauty not only Of her
own solos. but of the concerted numbers in
which she was engaged
But with the main body Of the society In such
good working order. everything is to be- hoped
Inc lovers OF oratorio Will look forward with
pleas ure IT, the second concert To take place on
saturday Dec 20. when the" Messiah" will be
given, with solo force including such strong
names as Miss Thursby. Miss Drasdil. and Mr..
Kemmerz.