New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-12-05
SULLIVAN,S "GOLDEN LEGEND"

Whether or not Sir Arthur Sullivan's cantata, Tho
Golden Legend, , benefited much from the performance
which IL received last night at the first concert OF Mr.
Wiske's New York Chorus Society might be set down
as a debatable question. Sir Arthur is a very dis
tinguished man, and the fact that a serious WORK OF
magnitude, one In which he himself takes a more thah
ordinary paternal pride, should have been ignored in
the chief city of America for four years when the of
spring Of his lighter moods are so largely sought after
is a fact which might be thought by some TO DO o Just
cause for wonderment. The case. however. IS not so
unreasonable AS IL seems at first blush. Sir Arthur IS
not the only genius In this world who dlsaefees
with a considerable portion OF the globes
population, a ~judicious portion moreover, con-
corning the direction In which his talents lie.
Like many a comedian on on the theatrical stage
who Is convinced of his tragic bent, he IS inclined
to look upon his operctas as trihcs and TO attach
great importance to his %oratorios. His posiuoh III
the musical world Of Great Britain insures a choius
of praise for everything he docs, but 1t is obvlons' IN
spite of all that and more than all that, In spite OF
royal patents and royal friendships, that the test OF
time proves him to be mistaken and the people TO De
right in their Judgment of his works. His setting oil
scenes from Longfc1low's Golden Legend collated by
MFR. Joseph Bennett with an eye to dramatic con-
tinuity and unity IS a serious ehort' that cannon
be gainsaid. But We would be tempted 10 question
that mans soundneSs of judgment who wOnh RANK
il with any one Of the composers o~perettas In respect
of freshness and spontaneity of melodic Invention.
ingenuity of treatment or tI1Ithfulness of express
sion. IL never rises TO real greatness, and.
indeed. seldom swings itself above the commonplace.
while Its monotonous scntimentality, the everlasting
placidity of its movement and the stagnation OF It's
dialogue render il a striking example Of musical SOM
noIency. A Judgment like this may sound hard. but 1t
Is not o hasty one, nor is ii formed on last nights
hearing. The text which Longfellow furnished III his
poem invites to musical setting, but il has been better
eat nv M pucl apd With dine defprpnce Ia Sir Arthur
and Mr.. wiske we have no hesitation In saying that the
cause of music would have been better subserved had
the American composers work been performed than it
was by the production of Sir Arthur's. This, however.
is q matter that has nothing to do with the merit Of the
cantata or It's performance, and does not enter into the
Judgment when must be passed upon them.
Mr.. Wiske's emery and enterprise are remarkable
How he succeeded in getting together So good a choir as
he stood before last night - little sh0rt Of a mystery.
1t is not a choir of great excellence In the matter Of
quality of tone. but It's work under the circumstances
was highly cOmmcndablc. Ii was so good that we
wish for the sake Of choral music in New York that 1t
could have been a little better-that the tone emitted
had been fuller and richer and that Mr.. Wiske's beat
had been a better guide TO the singers and instru-
mentalists. The choir is about 200 strong. The solo
parts were In good hands, those namely OF Miss De
We're, Mrs. Clapper Morris, W. J. LAWN and Carl Duff.