The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-12-25

emotion by such strains that have
The patriotic hymns of every land have
strange power over all its citizens. What
American is not moved by our American
song, "My Country, IT'S of Theew What
Englishman but grows enthusiastic when
he hears God Save the Queenl" That the
music of one age or one land awakens nc
response in people of other times and
climes is not that music's notes are not uni
versally Ineligible, but that our natures
and sympathies are, thanks to heaven, not
all alike. As TO music, however, it may be
absolutely held that it never fails to convey
the burden of its song to all who hear. If
words can tell their tale, notes are still
more capable of doing so. Song precedes
poetry, and there is reason to believe that
music is the mother muse; for metrical
words are often styled by the term for
harmonious sound. The poem is called a
song. Homer was originally sung, and
comets, trumpets, fife, psaltery accom-
panying sacred service of old, undoubtedly
preceded and gave rise to the grand old
sonorous psalm. Not only sentiment and
vince, but also action and scenery are
brought within the territory of harmony.
Impressions of different lands have been
set to note. ''The Forest" of Mendelssohn
probably gives nobler expression to the
effect produced upon helover of nature by
the sudden view of magnificent wood
grown with ancient oak and pine and vine,
than any words have yet had power to con-
vey. The ancient drama, whether comedy
or tragedy, was originally sung, and accom-
panied by instrumental music Aeschylus,
Sophocles, Aristophanes, were all set to
note, as we learn from tradition, and as
We can infer from the chorus that inter-
sperses them. The ancient Mosques and
the primitive church farces, which like
wise were musical, have been the precur-
sors Of the modern theatrical drama, no
less than this latter has re-affected music
In the production of the elaborate opera.
Music being among all the branches of
art the purest source of unalloyed delight,
1t is no wonder that as with every popular
art, its creations were long left to casual
inspiration and chance melody 1t is but
comparatively recent that it has been re-
duced almost to an exact science, and the
laws Of harmony have been discovered to
involve the highest secret of mathematics.
Thus the profundity of her mystery COM
bines with the powerful heart-appealing-
ness of her nature to compel her universal
recognition and to force even a widespread
affectation of her higher cultivation which
thus gives her true devotees the double
m aCraT Of q no
public to seek ever nobler revelations from
her inspirations and to bless mankind with
her messages of sweetness as they come
delivered from her gracious lips.
In this country, which has no distinctive
music Of her own, Italian, German and
French operas held long favor and were
heartily encouraged. Of late years the
'Wagnerian' opera has found full and en-
thusiastic following, while an innovation
Of whose permanent success and true merit
we can as yet make no reliable estimate.
still it Is characteristic of the age-sUu-
pendous and gorgeous in its tones no less
so than in its mountings and accessories.
In plan and scope it is gigantic, but vet
combines the graceful and pleasing.
Thanks for its Introduction and study
among US are owing to the late DR.. Leo
poid Damrosch and Herr Anton Seidl.
The greater and worthier inspirations Of
sacred music, which is one Of the grandest
modes of melody's expression, are being
largely cultivated by our American people.
1 am glad to note that our churches in Salt
Lake are not laggard in this regard. In
this respect the church assists in educating
the mass of the people, who otherwise
might remain unreached by nobler har
mony. to higher standards of musical
taste and appreciation.
Before concluding this by no means salts
factory sketch, [ CANNOT refrain from max
ing some complimentary reference to our
local musicians. Both vocally and instru
mentally they have shown themselves true
children of their art. They honor the
higher and nobler productions, and have
made brave efforts to bring prominently
before our public works of art by the old
masters and newer composers, who rank
high In the realm of melody.
If my memory serves me Alright. we owe
to Prof George Careless the introduction
of the first oratorio given in Utah. sUThe
Messiah" which he, assisted solely by local
talent, produced here over decade and a
half ago. The opera ''Pinafore' was like
wise given under his direction.
The Choral society, under the direction
of Prof. Evan Stephens, has done work
which could not well be otherwise than ex-
cellent, Prof. Stephens possessing SO much
personal magnetism with rare executive
ness and complete choral control, and being
with all this natural-born musician, TINS
combining all the requisites necessary +o
the formation of perfect musical organi-
cation.
AT present the society is rehearsine Dud-
ley Bucks Light of Asia.n Past ex-
perience warrants US in saying that any
thing undertaken by Prof Stephens will
prove more than ordinarily successful.
Mr. Willard Waihe O 1ooal x-;.l:..