New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-04
PaEKER'S NORA NOTISSIMj."

TIN. tllrr sor,lcc Of the Church Choral Society
which took place last night IN the Church OF thS
Holy Trinity. was distinguished by the first PERFORM
ance of setting for soil. chorus and orchestra by
IlCgaio W. Parker. Of the medieval HYMN on tho
celestial country beginning liora novssima' tempora
p,,sima stunt, vigcmus' The poem Is Of the twelfth
century and WAS written by Bernard. Of Cuny. 1t
lives In the admiration OF mos people to-day chieny
because II supplied the original OF Males beautiful
hvmn, Jerusalem, the Golden Lut IL Is IN ltscn .
marvelously lovely poetical composition. ana US Mr.
Parker has shown, 1t Is excellently adapted Tor mu-
.lcal setting. being full OF varied aud lofty imagery
and sentiment. Its greatest drawback Is the mo-
notony OF It's rhythm. which Of necessity placed
letters on the fancy Of the composer. That M.
Parker 10 spite OF this succeeded In creating W0rs
which Is fascinating from beginning TO END ior me
lovers OF sound. dgnifed and earnest ecclesiastical
music increases the admiration which he had alrcaoy
compelled by those OF his compositions which We
have been privileged to hear The work Is DIVIDED
into eleven numbers. including solos for soprano
contralto tenor and bass. a quartet for the same
voices, an unaccompanicd chorus in the old STYLE
capital fugic, double chorus and four accompanied
chcrises. At the bottom Of the comp 'siion there
lies a finely conceived and exceedingly pregnant
phrase. In the development Of which Mr. Parker mas
displayed degree OF learning and shll, huehey OF
musical uttcrancc both vocal and instrumental,
sense Of euphony and depth OF fecins. which 10
bounds TO the credit only of him individual.
but also Of all American composers. Hofa Novissma
IS A work Of which the country can he proud. ana
which II is a delight to praise, because 1t can DO
done without reservation or pioviso OF any SORT Inc
music could DO no better had II come from Europe; In
Its field II Is one Of the loyest products OF the artistic
fancy which has been heard here for long time. In
no respect does II show the prentice hand unless II
be IN Il few features OF its orchestiaton. ana even
there Il question whether not the fault may nos
have lain In the performance for Its adequate inter
probation requires larger choral force than was lm
poyed last night. Mr.. Parker Though Young
musician, who has grown mp under the influences OF
the modern Romantic school Of writers. has kept nru
grasp upon old ideals. lie j. fecund meiodis anu
though times he falls Into Italian modes OF thoneh'
In this particular. he Is saved from becoming MP
pant by his love for serious writing. character
isiic Instrumentation and solid ana expressive nir
mony. His music Is churchly throughout YET
fun OF such warm sentiment pulsates In the 'eA'.
II We're pity II such "A composition should DC h~
away after single perfo nance like that OF MS
night IL should DO made IN every American cay
where there musical forces capable OF perioh'"s
H.
The chorus OF the Church Choral society last h'sn'
was inadequate IN POINT OF numbers. and was scaN.v
well enough grounded In the music to produce wv
best effect. The orchestra, moreover, WAS too ~
scrtivc even In the solo numbers which were S""s
by Mrs. Theodore rordt. soprano; Miss Ruin ino"p
son. contrnto; Mr. ). Fischer Miller. tenor ana S.
Ericsson Bushnell. bass: hut discussion OF uns an
tails OF the performance can We'll bc spared oi a,'
occasion like this. In favor Of tribute 10 Wv tets
position itself. We're II necessary many more n IN
than noticeable last night might be iols n".,,cn
the feeling OF qualification and pride at the psouo"
OF such work. Mr. Barker conducted the pe,.''~
snce and Mr.. Will G. Macfarlane played the o'SAS'