New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-13
MUSIC.
,r ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL OF THE
ORATORIO SOCIETY.


.,,val arranged to commemorate the twenty
l Inv Of the founding Of the Oratorio
hi'h - rod its beginning in Carnegie Hall last
soc Tho exercises were simple and appropriate.
"e designed not only 10 provide varied and agree
p. .-,ertainment. but also 10 call back to the
apo Il The society and its patrons the figure.
men" ',,rs and the genius of DR.. Leopold Dam
NV, uno called the society into existence In 1873
ro '."i ord .he choir sang from short pieces which
~ oo,red on the programme OF the first concert,
na orchestra played the FESTIVAL overture com
NJ, ny Mr. Damrosch for the dedication Of the
w.. house in Bresau (whcre he was director be-
~ no came 10 New York;, in 1866 the Rev. Dr..
- van Dyke delivered address. in which
:. Maid a tribute not only 20 the doctor. but also
- his sons Frank and Waiter, whom ne described
=, "coheritors Of their fathers spirit. rivals only
:, the generous emulation Of who shall do the
nos. 10 Ill the peoples life with music: finally
che society supported by the orchestra OF the Sym
honv Society and aided Ivy Mime. Gadski. T. Evan
wiliams and octet Of women. performed the
can,ata "Sulamith" composed for the society by
&c conductor sixteen years ago
Interesting and original this cantata is II
AID not serve TO disclose the merits of the chorus
as well as the short pieces sung earlier in the
evening with memorial intent. They were a
choralde by Bach. ITO God. in Whom | Trust:
Mozart's Ave Verum.' "Adoramus te" by
Pales;rina. and Mendelssohns part song beginning
20 HIS, Wales OF Pleasure These were sung
with lovely tone. QuaHty, exquisite expression
admirable balance and fine precision In the can
tata Nine GadsN distinguished herself throughout
and Mr. Williams in two numbers though It WAS
obvious that he was suffering from cold.
DR.. van Dykes address after its opening which
exploited the occasion and paid the personal rib-
utes already referred TO. devoted to q discus
sion OF The Mission of Music in the Social Life
Of Man" He said in part:
Consider this festival tonight. What does 1t
signify In the life Of the community? 1t reminds
IL Of in
this busy. whrling town hundreds Of men ana
women hsye been coming together month after
music in perfect unity. Veterans here who
hundred times AS older voices have passed away
into Silence new voices have come TO take their
chorus full and firm and vigorous. Now, all this
means self-sacrihce drill. discipline, common devo-
lusiration OF fellowship than the spirit which has
kept alive IN this confused. roaring metropolis
Mozart and Mendessohn. Handel and Haydn,
But let US not forget the audience for also has
part in the fellow ship The birds are the only
hearers. There people here who listened TO the
first concert of this society in 1873 In the rooms or
from pillar TO post until II formed It's appropriate
home in this great hall built for and dedicated TO
can ay claim TO an expert knowledge Of the
art. We are not active but passive musicians -
clined to harmony. but organcally we are incapa-
be Of it, We find it safest TO take part in the ie
BE confessed. stand in need very often. OF educa,
music when first heard. bewilders US more than it
delights US recall The man who listened lister n 10 bnS
asked for his opinion replied that he t"ought II
was thoroughly well deserved; But one thinG we
these concerts. and that is that the highest music
does not lose but gains by repetition lie who nas
II at all He who has heard It twice begins 70
know tina, it means something He who mas Hss 5a
I, thrice ten times; score OF tunes. Knows , VIZ" f
the meaning is and loves H. We o, me zen ~
this society because IT holds to the old Greek
motto: Let beautiful things be done again anu
again. we eeeV 6 sar e OF the growth Of
high standard and more intelligeht pfayI no,
we look forward hopefully TO that broad cuture
OF popular song The great'Tich cry whose ~
degradation But the city whose choral music lives
and reigns has learned TO speak the noble language
let no, ,t fn to Sv s7RTsss Sd
that fulfls It's nobes destiny when Il lifts the
soul into harmony with the great spirit trTn ", man
the creation fu Of 0nns.pIsI,sdd i mqsGd
Every 'n has nV be oh i"e chime The
sooo S stars sdns on the round Of make
sns desP saSs With 1T hsrPs and their hah
They range themselves in choirs they sing ana
n 1aKe and sweet ansiphones Nay GOD himself
the author as he is the Sss Eb 81 s s ereaed
For what saith the prophet: The Lord, thy God.
IN the ds over of thee thee With dy viii x his
love; He will Joy over thee with singing"
The Divine hand wandering over the strings or
the universe. evokes everywhere the music whicn
God Himself hath woven into the frame OF things
Mans best music is but the answer TO that celes-
tial touch II IS love awakening and looking Tor
words II is gratitude climbing. on rounds OF mel
ody the golden ladder that leads toward tho
world Of light II uplifts and rejoiccs The human
heart because It is an echo OF the heart Of Cod
the Great Musician
Hail Music thou daughter Of the Gladness OF
God thou bride Of mans unutterabe thought. thou
fragrance Of the souls springtide thou sweet SAVIOR
Of spiritual fruits. thou sweet radiance and color
OF the celestial world We know not whether thou
ART the sunset glory OF this life. the sunrise
splen4or Of the life that is 70 come But we nave
felt and We acknowledge thy secret resstless Gle
waiting power and We launch our hearts upon
THE tides OF nusc's golden
Setting toward eternity"