New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-19
MUSIC.
TINEL'S st. FRANCIS"

The Oratoro Society placed IN exceedingly credit
able achievement 30 lis credit last night when II
produced novel work by comparatively unknown
comp,,cr. Edgar T.nes oratorio 81 Francis"
Concerning composer and work have already
spoken ut some length. but the occasion proved to
l~ one which would justify much more extended
comment IL the cxigrncies OF time ana space per-
mttcd. Tile oratorio Is work OF singular merit
irll Of originality In conception, dramatic al 'incs
as to carry the fincy captive rich In dclineauon OF
Moods mastery In lis exhibition Of the tcchh,cs OF
composition and exceedingly drlng In It's employment
OF effects both vocal and instrumental II Is. however,
exceedingly difficult and sacrifices the majority OF Its
charms 70 even "A mediocre performance. Tn" last
full private rehearsal on Thursday afternoon and tho
public rehearsal Friday made n demonstration oi
this fact, which was most convincing. Those who
heard the work on these occasions can nave no Idea
OF its interesting character. Tincl. Is thoroughly
modern in his conception of the mission and capacity
of music. lie las had The advantage OF thoroughly
unconventional text. and has blended the dramatic
principle, which supposed TO belong wholly
TO the drama, with the cpical which custom had set
apart for the oaoro. His melodies are perhaps less
remarkable for Their spontanciiy and unqualified beauty
than his treatment OF them Is for ingenuity.
and expires vcncss but his harmoncs are striking
IN ire extreme. and his orchestra has an coaucncc
that suggests the master The work Is laid out on
logical plan which must he down the fruit Of
ripcr reflection, yet the plan does not force Itself
upon the notice to the exclusion OF naive
enjoyment. Outside of the first part OF the work,
which treats OF tho early life Of the saint ana Is
secular to the verge OF the operate style uhnk of
an insnuatingly graceful, slow WALL as the hiss
of the greater portion of the music this simplicity Of
enjoyment is reserved for the climaxcs OF the work.
which are settings Of three hymns attributed TO 1t.
Francis and interesting In literary history as
being among the earliest OF such az
tcmpts at vcrsifcat!on: but for listeners
gifted with the faculty OF analysis there Is scarcely
n mage of the score which Goes not irritate attrncH
- St Francis, Is ono II the few works Of lis KIND
which utilize tho system Of typical phrases. The
chief Of these phrases Tncl associates very logically
with that virtue which was In the estimation Of
the Sant-povcrty. II plays an important roe !"
the ballad OF the first part In which ST. Francis sings
NJ Poverty as II she were q danisel held captive by q
giant and rescued by gallant knight; also In the
HYMN 10 Dame Poverty which he sings after having
founded his religious order: and 1t Is The theme OF
the final apothcosis This instance Ia cited hurriccy
simply TO convey an idea Of the composers structural
plan.
Tho shirt OF the second and third party Is Us
d;stinctivey religious and churchly as That OF the
first IS secular and here the special trimming ana ''.e
Of Iine the church composer sao"s i'seii' hos' oi
the choral effects are superb and there Is surprisingly
little of the commonplace 10 BE- found In them ct.
rr.,c,s- ouclt 10 be- heard several times, aud heard
UNDERSTANDABLE II It's merits to he appreciated.
but IT was gratifying TO observe last night tha' most
OF It's beauties found quick appreciation ihe applause
~ the public was frequently bestowed, ana " WAS
always exceedingly cordial. II was discriminating
audience. moreover rs Mr.. Ericsson lnShncli hha
occasion TO learn for he was honored far beyond Inc
other singers simply because OF the lovely hhisn
with which he sang unaccompanied passage III 'he
first part-thc address OF the waterman
noi,,inc comnnuy Of Jewellers. Madam DE were
Sano and Mr.. kicrcr also won green ana iragfant
innr'Is for the admirable manner In which they &c
n, themselves Of an arduous task Tho fourth
.Jo succr was Mr.. CHARLES koyscr. whose aiu Vas
efficient II remarkable for r.nneii.h VI a HyS
Vr Dnmro,ch must not be forgNtoh IN t.e asu
hutton of credit and praise. lie has dlstihfuisneo
himself again almost as much AS 10 oid Win INC
production Of the Grc mass.