New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-06
MUSICAL COMMENT.
MUSIC AT THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
AN UNOFFICIAL CANTATA-TIIE
PALESTRINA CHOIR.


Except In the parade Of last Wednesday land then IN
industrial wayi, native achievements In music
did not play q significant part in the Centennial
celebration. Had II occurred TO the committee II
might have been possible 10 arrange feature Of the
festivities which would have illustrated tho growth
OF music I'm America during the century since Washing
| toms Inauguration, which would have been at once
Instructive and entertaining. Unique Interest, for
Instance would have attached 10 the ball II
a space Of time IN II had been set apart for the
dances Of hundred years ago; there was nothing
! at all impracticsbe IN scheme for providing the
military bands that took part In the military parade
with the marches which popular when the country
was young; and several stirling songs might have
been found whose harmonic crudtes would easily have
been forgiven for the ssic OF their patriotic senu-
mont and the fact that they had their birth 10 tho
midst OF struggle for independence the rcjoicngs
over It's attainment Who woulh not have felt
additional throb Of patriotism and pleasure had he
known that the gallant soldiers on Tuesday wete
keeping stop 10 the music OF America, Commerce
and Freedom Liberty Death" Liberty's March,
uulrs Victory" Lsfsycttes March, adams and
liberty - assachusetts March, Victory OF Or
leans Hail. Columbia and The Starspanged
Banner, all Of which wcro popular pieces for pat
liotc occasions eighty or years ago1 But moth
ing OF the Kind was attempted. and haf IL not been
for tho German singingsoceties, in tho matter OF
music the Centennial celebration would have been
no moro distinctive than tho celebration OF last ST.
PatrtcRs Day was or the next independence pay
Will DO
In any OF the countries II Europe such ami
vcrsary would have been sgnalEed by tho production
Of at least musical composition Of magnitude ap-
propriate to the occasion. and made part OF the
official celebration. Patriotic affairs are easily
adapted to musical treatment, and though OCCASION
ais are Disappointing IS rule the greatest CON-
posors have always Leon glad to couple their names
with historical events. In 1915 VIC had Centennial
Cantata composed 10y an American Duoiey
Buck, and grand march. composed by
Wagner Not a note Of either OF these compositions
was heard 1t tho recent celebration. Tho author
OF the music Of the cautata Is alive and he has now
a dozen capable colleagues where no hal ono h'r'oSn
years ago. Had Mr.. Buck. Professor PANE OF sv
one OF tho twenty Ave younger men been aekeu W
compose an ode cantaia for the luoheo'
sass to say that the enthusiasm OF the momen' a1
the encouraging eiyec, Of commission might ha'e
been relied on TO stimulate the production Of "o'S
which would AZ least have held It's own with eha
occasionaisn of contemporary German, French hns
l!sh, Belgian. or Italian composers
- wa. or,v . coincidence but happy one, thsa
the NOW cantata sung the first time At The is'
concert of The LledrrkranZ, had elemants IN WINE
made It seem as II IL had been designed ior 70,
Centennial celebration. The Fiery Cross,' as 10
name indicates - al readers Of Scott, deals viva
an on,sodc IN "The Lady Of tho Lake" u reacAa
lie
s,yoot II IS to d. for Liberty =" The classic DHiss
at decor,n. est etc, and the French Mourn pOs'
Ia patrie" will occur at oneo 10 "a
eAtA the antiquity and univeTsany
tho sentiment, and when Heinrich .buithsuV1
who is Max Brucn's poetn-orinary. gave victory
clan Alpine In the battle Of Bcap Dune there was
probably no thought of tho American centenary III n'
mind, Just as little any thought thar the esna'
which the Liederkanx commissioned Drlch To coapos'
lsst summer would turn out to have patriotic LBS
:, the minds OF the sociey's directors. Then was
absolutely no consultation 10 subject or me'hoo ~
treatment but when tho cantata came Il was foan.
that around scotts episode OF how tho hery eros
| WAS placed by Angus In the hands OF Norman on w
day when Tomhea's Mary gave him hor tota. h.'
| Bulthaupt had woven q story Of patriotic oa'ss''
nught Ike that In Loch Ks'rnss gorge, fall 10 10.
sight OF maids and nstrons Whose voices were neos
in the descriptive chorus,. and closed with psea'
OF gladncss over countrys achievement OF freeoo.
Amateurs familiar with Hcrr Bruchs msmoa
"a they we've exempliGcd IN MmH's
VIII guess how the new subject Is treated Thsss =