The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-28
ON Other Side OF CHANNEL
Passing Events of the Day on the
West Side of the City Noted.
GOuNOD'S ST. CECILIA MASS
Sung in an Excellent Manner by the
Choir of ST. Fatrick's Chnrch Under the
Direction of Haydn Evans-pcr-
sonals and Brief Items of News.

Gounod's st Cecilia" mass was sung
at St. Patrick's church yesterday MORN
ing to large and appreciative con-
gregation by u choir of forty voices.
The attempt to render such a difficult
mass hy u choir wholly composed OF
amateurs manifests considerable en-
terprise which would, by some musical
authorities, be regarded as almost a
desecration Of the works of the great
master, Gounod. The result. however,
proves that an amateur choir can, with
determination and thorough practice,
assisted by q conductor capable of
Interpreting the music, acquit them
selves with considerable credit, al
though there may be several points
in which the trained professional choir
would exhibit greater skill and finish.
The attempt deserves every encourage
ment in order to induce perseverance
in acquiring a more intimate knowl-
edge with the works of men who have
left behind them monuments in the
world of music.
Professor Haydn Evans has worked
with tangible results at St. Patrick =
church, but is handicapped in the fact
that his sopranos are immeasureably
superior to the other parts of the choir.
The ease with which the ladies sang
and held the upper \ on several oCca-
slons was an achievement which
highly paid choristers oftentimes fail
in the attempt.
Mrs. Kate Sullivan who sang the
soprano solos, discharged her duties in
a charming manner. Her rendition
showed careful study and a thorough
grasp of her part. The solos were rem
dered in an easy and natural manner
devoid of the strained effort which pc
culiarly mars this class of music. The
tenor soloist, John Feeney, labored
under a severe cold and was unable to
sing all the solos. Despite this draw
back he was able to sing his part in
the "Sanctus' i'm a creditable manner
and instead of singing the higher notes
an octave lower, which would have
saved much labor. he gave the music as
written. John Connolly. the bass solo
ist, was excellent in the "Gloria in
EXcelsis" and interpreted the music
with almost faultless taste. His work
in the other pieces was also highly
creditable.
Probably the "Credo" was the part
in which the choir sang at their best.
The conception of the music was all
that could be desired and consequently
the part was rendered in a sympathetic
manner, which is so essential to a cor
rect Interpretation. In the ppp. pas
sages of the "Sanctus" the sympathy
between the various voices was most
pleasing and the organ accompaniment
was reduced to n niccty, ensuring n
perfect blending Of the whole. The
"Benedictus" was also rendered with
correct taste, the transition from the
pianofortissimo to the fortisslmo pas
sages being accomplished in an easy
and harmonious manner, the precision
and regularity being conspicuous, With
n little balancing of voices the choir
would soon assert itself capable of
undertaking still greater tasks
As at present constituted, the excel
lence of the sopranos shows an appar-
ent poverty in the other parts which,
in reality, does not exist to the extent
which might at first be imagined.
Professor Haydn Evans, of whose
well-earned reputation no mention
need be made, presided at the organ
and was assisted by Miss Harriet Ward
violin, and Miss Gertrude HolyOk.
French as harpist. Both ladies assisted
materially in ensuring the success oI
the rendition of the mass.