The Portland daily press., 1880-02-06
THE HAYDN CONCERT.
First Performance in Portland of Men
delssohns st. Paul.

Union Hall was filled last evening to its ut
most capacity by the friends and associate
members of the Haydn Association, and the
audience evidently much enjoyed the per-
formance, for the first time in this city, Of
Mendelssohn's oratorio, St. Paul. AS musical
work it is characteristic of the composer; one
finds in it the grandiose and often inflated
treatment of themes not sufficient to warrant
extended handling, together with admirably
tuneful passages and solid and rich harmonic
work Mendelssohn was happy in taxing
hints from Bach's chorus writing and added TO
his natural gift tho most assiduous study Oh
the best models. His St. Paul is thoughtiui
work, not especially dramatic and lacking
somewhat in movement, but it we'll repays
repeated hearings In the first note OF INC
opening chorus the quality of the Haydns was
apparent They have made great progress
during the past season of rehearsals and ther
crystal purity of tcne the fine balance OF parts
sure attack. and refined and thoroughly in
telligent shading were never so far on the way
to perfection as in last evenings performance.
That chorus could sing SO long and SO exact
ing an oratoro without some little signs OF
WEAKNESS were too much to expect; but the
admirable training and spirit with which
the chorus entered upon its task
carried it through almost unfailingly.
The argument of the oratoro embraces the
period of time from the stoning of Stephen to
the departure of Paul to Jerusalem. The first
chorus Lord thou alone art God, is an effect
spirit The chorale which follows is in fine
contrast and in its simple harmonic treatment
the composer has followed similar examples of
Bach's chorales. The furious cry of the peo-
pie Stone Him to Death, is succeeded by a
singularly lovely chcrale, a meditation upon
the death of the martyred Stephen. The cho-
rus Happy and Blest, is tuneful and spontane-
GUS and in the composers best vein. with
charming accompaniment like those familiar
in his ie9er. To the spirited chorus Rise up,
arise, succeeds the imposing chorale Sleepers
wake, in which the chorus achieved q superb
forte, sustained with vigor and eyenness oftone
In the chorus O great is the depth, the sudden
change of time was notably well taken. The
second part of the oratorio opens with
noble chorus The Nations are now the Lords,
in which the B-hat in alt of the soprani rang
true and sweet as solo voice. How lovely
are the Messengers is flowing and graceful
number, one of the most enjoyable of the
work With respect to the composer-it
may fairly be said that the chorus Thus
saith the Lord, is nothing if not pet
ulant, and is very inadequately writ
ten. The chorus made an admirable dra-
matte point in the almost whispering
tone with which they took up the
theme of Is this He? The accompaniment to
the chorale o, Thou the true and only Light,
departs from strict models but is interestingly
scored The choruses The Gods themselves
and be gracious, form fine musical pic
ture The latter chorus was taken shade
slower than is often heard, and gained very
perceptibly in effect thereby. The chorus But
our God, is an exceedingly interesting piece of
musical writing around the plain chant of
the alto, the elaborate figures of the other parts
group in mastery fashion. The excited chorus
This is Jehovah's Temple, contrasts with the
solicitous Far be it from thy path. An ex-
quisite and tuneful meditation of the chorus
See what Love, leads the way for the elaborate
only unto him. To musician-lke skill,
artistic feeling and remarkable power Of
handling chorns which Mr.. Kotzschmar pos
sesses, are due JAos5 triumphs of the Haydn
Association. The solos were well taken.
To Mr.. John 2. Coyle was allotted the
music of Paul, which he sang with
dignity, earnestness aud effect, his voice, not
withstanding a cold, rather increasing in power
and clearness as he warmed to his work. The
impression which Mr.. Coyle's singing never
fails to produce is of sincerity, devotion to his
art, and genuine manly vigor. His song
SO God, have mercy" and the long
and rather ungrateful airs toward the latter
part of the work deserve especial praise. Mr..
Pennell's clear, round ENTHUSIASTICALLY q
little metallic in qualty-and his excellent
were shown to great advantage;
and he sang the air "Be thou faithful with
notable effect. Miss Millilnens pure AMI
sweet soprano was best displayed in 81 viii
sing OF thy great mercies'' and was also very
enjoyable in the recitatiye. Her light ,girlish
tones are oyer-young yet for the concentrated
pathos of the great air Jerusalem, though she
gave it smoothly and with expression. Mrs.
Pratts agreeable voice aud intelligent singing
were a little at a disadvantage from her evil
dent timidity, but she sang we'll the one air in
her part. Miss Fannie Jordan played the
pianoforte accomplishments with care and eff
feet.
The public will be glad to know that the
Haydns will repeat the performance of last
evening for the benefit of the Maine General
Hospital; and in behalf OF the chorus, and in
behalf Of the noble charity which they propose
to assist-the PRESS bespeaks full house at
Union Hall, on Thursday evening, February
18th.