The Portland daily press., 1881-08-20
EMMANUEL.
DR.. Joseph Parry's New Oratorio.

DIR. Joseph Parry, the composer of the new
oratorio oil Emmanuel which will be pro-
duced by the Haydns next season, is a Welsh
man, and professor of music in the University
College of Wales. BE has visited this city,
and his sister is the wife of one of the leading
employees of the Rolling Mills. The oratorio
was produced at St. James Hall, London, May
18th, and this is what the Musical Times said
of it:
A new oratorio by DIR. Joseph Parry, of
Aberystwyth, entitled Emmanuel" was
performed for the first time in St. James Hall
on Wednesday evening, the 18th ult., when a
large audience, mainly composed of natives of
the Principally, found vent for national pride
and musical enthusiasm. Indeed, excepting
at purely German concerts, rarely has the at
mosphere of London music room been more
heavily charged than on this occasion with
that electrical quality which needs only the
true spark OF merit to explode in thunderous
applause. The spark, nay, some will excited
~ say the continuous flame, was forthcoming
In Or. Parry's music, and few, therefore, even
OF the cold and doubling Saxons present could
altogether remain unaffected by the fervor of
the Celtic company. There is much in EN-
manuel to justify the warmth displayed, for
IT'S composer shows he possesses a faculty of
musical expression that never halts or STUN
Dies; with an agreeable fancy, that finds
scope In orchestral devices, and spirit that
selzes hold of the attention of auditors by force
OF themes Strenuousy worked There is SO
much in the Oratorio that promises we'll for
success in other branches of musical literature
That every encouragement, short of hattery,
must be accorded to one who has studied long
and earnestly in his art Emmanuel" is a
credit to the young musician, and will doubt.
less receive honor in the Principality for its
nigh tone OF thought and expression.
The Standard says.
Taking the Oratorio as whole, and max
ing allowances for the ambitiousness of the
work, the treatment Of the different themes
eylnces the talent of a true musician. The
overture IS cleyerly written, and among the
choruses, "The Bursting Cloud and 1.-THE
Mutlnous Legions' deserve special word of
praise. DR.. Parry is still quite young man,
and we are sure he will take heart from the
warm reception of this, his chief work, and
furnish us with something even better than
Emmanuel" We believe he has the mower
OF originality, and that the criticisms which
nave been written on his latest production,
Will only stimulate him to fresh exertions in
the cause OF musical art, and that we shall by
ana Dy nave to congratulate him not only. on
MS fertility of invention and musical taste
and scholarship, but on his thorough originate
ty in works of this kind
Macfarren, to whom it is dedicated, SAYS:
l think that as a whole, the composition
does you great credit. The counterpart writ
ing is for the most part admirable, The orches-
tration generally clear and effective, and many
OF the melodies charming: particularly was
struck with the chorus "Glory to God, u which
is highly original and quite beautiful. was
fully as much pleased with No. 3d. and neither
OF these pieces needs any compression. The
same may be said of No. &c. which well re-
member, and found it to justify the estimation
had formed of it. No. % pleased me much,
especially the choral portion. I much like the
songs Behold the Man. and so ye that love
the Lord" The choruses, 1.-THE mutinous
lleegions" and "Let us sing" are both good.
The very fine chorus, ooh jerusalem" is
marred by its length, and think the great
prevalence of minor keys towards the close
will always interfere with its favorable i'm
preston.
Major Jordan, of the Post Office, has copies
of the work.