The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-01-10
LECTURE ON MOZART
The Fourth Of Mr.. Sursits's Univer.
silly Extension Series Of Talk.
WELL PLEASED AUDIENCE PRESENT,
The Work of tho Famous Composer
HeNicwcd--The Custom Of His Day
and How He Departed From Them
-Fhe Lecture Was illustrated
by Local Talent.

The fourth In the series OF University
Extension Lectures on Music, being
given by Mr.. Thomas Whitney Surette,
occurred last night in Y. NJ. c. A. Hall
before u large audience.
The interest In these lectures has
'been gradually increasing and with the
very complete and thorough Illustration
which is furnished by our local musi-
clans and by Mr.. Surettc himself. the
several lectures have been made de-
ilEhttuliy entertaining as well as in
StruCting.
The lectures described the condition
OF mustcnl culture in Mozarts time. and
drew an interesting picture of the Gus
toms and conditions of civilization
which he grew up under. The class dis
tinction which existed then prevented
musician from living life of artistic
freedom. such as is possible now. 1t
was an age of conventionality-o pow
dered wigs. of bowings and scapings-
an age when mems careers depended
OH the Whim OF some powerful noble
when muscians-when they played In
great mems houses. were ropcd OF from
.ne audience: when composcrs-even
when they were graf as MoHart-had
to sit at table with the servants
All these conventionalitics hampered
a perfectly free expression OF must
clans nature. and 1t must have affected
Mozarts style.
We are to see how the great and
fearless shirt of Beethoven met those
same conditions and what effect they
had on him and on his music
MoZart's greatness" said Mr.. Surette.
lies I'm his wonderful melody and his
perfectly classic style. He expresses.
as no one else has, the perfection of
what Is called classicism. Although his
musical activity included nearly every
department. of composition. yet he was
greatest I'm opera. Up to his time Italian
opera had entirely dominated Europe
ana, while 1t was graceful and melodi-
GUS IT had many striking Inconsistent
cies. Dramatic fitness was hardly con-
| sidercd at all: everything had to stand
aside for the prima donna
'if the hero was imprisoned In q
Fortress tower. his Nady love was seen
to come To sing to- him with null
| titnhe of trills and rouladcs and at
| tired in n ball dress She would sing
very loud and reIv long. regardless of
JhllorS or OF Mrs. Grundy. and he would
Join her i'm an impassioned duet and
then. If the audience applauded long
enough. he would come ont of his pris-
| on and down to the fo5tliEhts, hand in
| hand With the suffering damscl. and
men he,d go back and they would sing
the whole thing over again.
This was all accepted as a matter
or course. and no questions asked
Mozart, although he had ms bad
iibrcttos as any that We're ever made
sci himself against these absurdities a &
far as he could. and wrote what was
natural and simple. refusing to overload
MS songs with absurd ornamental lions
Tor showing off n singers voice"
some of his nrias. which were sung
at the lecture illustrated in a marked
| way these things. The melodies wcrn
simple and beautiful, such melodies as
never die.
! The lecturer analv-ad several of the
! instrumental compositions which were
played. explaining their form and show
( inE ihc difference between them and
/ IN" tin"d"n pieces. which were PLAYED
at the Hayden lecture
| The programme. entirely from Mo
2art's works. was as follows:
| Trio No. :. for Violin. Cello and Piano.
Mossrs. Borics. NIettkc and IIonrncr.
Aria" from The Marriage of Figaro. -
| l. "DOvo Como .............
Miss Elizabeth Taylor.
| H. Non, Phi Andria"
| MIR. Newton Fiiz.
J AndantO for Cello ard Piano
Mir. Mc;tltc ana Mr.. KOcrncr.
Sonata IN y maio"
ltondo from Sonata in T. fiat.
| Mr.. Surcttc.
| Nv Surctte has consented 10 play sev-
"rHl selections II Mr.. Millcr's organ re-
cital to-day FRIDAY
YESTERDAY morning he played for n
Few people at ST. Luke's Church
! 1t Is intended 10 arrange with him
| for two lectures during Lent and one
ION Wa&n"rs ''Parsifal." Illustrated nv
st"rian'icnn and by PLAYING from the
opera, and the other on Church Music. :