New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-04-09
CHORAL SINGING IN BOSTON
DEFECTS IN THE WORK OF TIE HANDEL
AND HAYDN SOCIETY.
ITS CHOIR NOT on LEVEL WITH THE oRcHEs.
IRA AND THE sOLOIsTs-MR. LLOYD'S Tx
CELLENT sINGING-THE CANTATA
OF " ST. JOHN.


CELLENT sINGING-THE CANTATA
OF " ST JOHN"
FROM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBrSEl
Boston, April S.-scvera times III the COURSE VI
the second concert of the Anniversary fesuVai Vi
the Handel and Haydn society tins evening was
oppressed with the fear that | should I've coHpeieu
materially to modify the praise called out on sunday
evening by the Elijah performance. IL Is not
pleasant to set down the pegs after they have once
been fixed al a pitch in cOns0nancc with the spirit
of jubaton proper to a festive occasion. and though
the standard set by the choir on sunday was Ill no
instance maintained tonight, was gao thal inc
mcritorious things numerous enough 10 hccp
apprehension in check. Judging from the Only point
OF view which dgnlfcd an occasion warrants d
visitor from New-Nork taking. 1t must yet he salu
that il is an unhappy thing when at choral festival
the chorus ranks third in excellence OF the urcc
forces employed in the performance. Inc ehor oush'
TO have been the star OF the OCCASION bu' us SN"S
was only respectable being deficient IN exprcssenes'
and dynamic meditation The cause
rot far 10 seek 1t may be read In
the fact that the orchestra. which Is
,he finest organization in respects that tie
country boasts though It's abilities were not taxed
bv the music which it played sun ala ho' once
suggest the finish and precision when ordinarily
5 g., nj =, the svmphony Concerts. THIS
means that there was somewhat OF deficiency IN
Will not entirely solve the problem TO" u Ic'Vo1o
20 Boston its old prestige in choral culture.
The Handel and HAYDN Society can sing better
than it sang tonight but greatly lear tha' J. VIII
not sing much better. certainly not ~ wei a. j
ought, until it j. lifted out of the rut IN winch j.
has lons been kept by complacent disposition 'h"'
rests satisfied with mcdiocriiy There must be
further troubn of the waters here before the country
At large can AGAIN turn its eyes 10 the Handel ana
HAYDN society As the highest eNcmpar Of that form
ol musical culture which tells most truly OF inc gen
tlcncSs refinement and artistic intelligence Of com
runity. II Mr. Hssnson were To give inc urN
choral bones a rafting what a change he would
accomplish
The programme Of Tie concert comprised the first
and second parts Of Bach's Christmas Oratoro.' a
caNtata entitled John" composed for the occa-
sion by J. {. D. Parker, and two air. from liaydns
Creation" introduced a. an agreeable iA'e'i"e@Ho
between the two choral works. These airs were
"On Mighty Pee > sung by Madame Norca ana " III
Native WORTH sung by Mr. Lloyd. The scheme
did not set severe task for the choir. In the Bach
work there are only two chofuscs which are at all
difficult. the rest Of the choral portion being made
up of old chorals. which in Bac.'s time we're sung
lv The conversation The solos however.
extremely difficult, and in them the most admirable
work by Mr.. Lloyd. whose artistic vocLiha-
ton and elegance Of style created pronounced schSa
ton. have never heard specimen Of Bach
singing 50 perfect as lis Haste We shepherds"
Boston has been little sccpca about the r-h;tons
ness Of the claim 10 the great distinction which Mr.
Lloyd enjoys, but his work tonight effected complete
conversion. Musical standards growing more and
more confused great singer, become Iafcr. and !
fancy that Mr.. Lloyds mission in America just is
to recall the old ideal Of pure singing in the province
Of OratOriO Popular taste fed tie vlrilc method
of dramatic heroic tenos may not ind complete
satisfaction in his voice or his essentially lyric treat
mcnt Of the musical text but it is impossible to escape
the charm oxcrted by Tire dcicou, .uayiiy Of his
manner, the consistent quality Of his voice. tie faut
cssnc,s Of his phrasine and, above all. the feeling
Of rcpOsc which is inspired by tie impcccabc sym
metry of his performances To night he shonc the
star Of the occasion. though he had mean
competitors for popular favor In Madame Nordca.
Miss Emily Wnant and Myron whitney all Of whom
accomplished notable things and compelled generous
tributes from the audience.
Mr.. IaIAeI's cantata mcrliod the favor with which
it was received The composer Is one Of tie Oldest
members 81 Ioatons nuincrOu, family OF native
Ioscs. or aDont tnriy years he has !ad 'i4rre 81
TIC music IN Trinity Church. II Judge by Dbl, music
has successfully wit,lpJj The modern tendency. which
carried Professor Pane. nOre generously cndpac eel
and resistance. Mr. Parker j, content t. anbe along
IN the howcry paths Of centdry ago. now nInl-lus
neat melodlc fancy and unqucstlOncd sin ln oIch'-
tratOn, and anon paying The Tribute which he SIN
holds to be- due t. reconcile forms. There are plenty
10 terrors for him. but quite e., many. to- Of hi
ability b. strike lire with tn time h,norrd musical
ably adapted u Tie purpose FOR which 10 wa,
COMPOSED ii L. full II variety and color effect IT,.
orchestra IS handled skilfuly in e. all times ana
moments Of graceful sentiment alternate with other.
~ WHICH breadth dignity and soidlt, are pretty sue
! ttsoitNy strNrn fDr VA unable b. md much
beauty In the ideas put at the bottom ~ hl, fng,l
pieces but they Wcrc al least well invented for their
purpose Inc caitdta consists Of slx movements. each
OF which save the lat, is introduced by proc amailD
OF the bassOs and trDoTs In unison supcr.mpo.cd
orchestral song which reflects the spirit 81 the
/ chosen for Illustration. = ~c piece foiDN- carh 81
thcc Interesting proludc.. the tent being in the nature
OF rejection OF the fact stated In The proc anatipn
ana the music employing each time different vehicle
choose the hi,t number a an Illustration ~ The
fundamental constructive idea The text II the proc
lamatlon T.: And lie saith INTO them. IOilOw ne
and they forSook all and followed Him. Then fJl
lows the reflection in the form II "a chorus. How
beautiful upon the mountains the feet ~ Him that
hrngeth good tdlngs that puAlisheh salvation. etc.
Tie second number Introduce conirltD solo. fhc
third. soprano solo: the fourth. quartet the INN.
duet for soprano ard tenor. followed bv chorus and
the sixth o. lIc j. introduced by short chorus fDF
womcn's voices fun chorus with soprano obligatD
The device is ingenious. securing nj unity Of plan
and diversity Of execution. Tho cantata conducted
by the composer, who was warmly appliudcd for his
work H. f. K