New-York tribune., 1901-03-15
MUSIC.


The Musical Art Society completed It's eighth sea-
son with a concert in Carnegie Hall last night. II
has presented programmes as full of beauty he
fore. but none which offered much to pque the
curiosity and interest OF the music student on
this occasion Such the beauty and variety OF
the music. moreover. that the wayfarng seekers
after entertainment and pleasant diversion merely
found their attention caught at the beginning and
held to the end. All the features Of the affair
were inspiriting. The stage profusely gar
landed and decorated with growing plants; the au-
dience filed with Interested and apprechtive
listeners, whose faces and piaudits proclaimed i
festal mood. \ great choir that Of the People S
Choral Union, filed the upper gallery and sent
down mighty gusts IF harmony in three OF the
pieces on the programme. In front Of the profess
sonal choir the stage sat the Eowned singing
boys OF St Jamcss Church. This in the early part
of the evening; afterward. for space. their place
was taken by an orchestra Of strIngcd Instruments
The penitential spirit Of the season. which spoke
in two of the capella compositions, WAS relieved
by sounds of Easter cheer and hopefulness. ana
the secular songs all spoke Of happiness-ot spring
and summer, OF singing birds ana pIoSsoIhlhs HOW
ers and love.
Under the circumstances i reviewer might be par
doned were he to pay his tribute TO the occasion
and put aside all thought Of critical comment or
historical discussion So interesting was the list OF
pieces, however, that to do so would he To leave
a duty TO the society and Its director unperformed.
The concerts of the Musical Art Society educa-
tional functions-a fact which makes a record OF
so fine a popular success achieved last
nizht douby gratifying. The concert began with
an extraordinary composition. one whose ef-
fectiveness we fancy. would have been height
ened had there been some music 10 precede ito
prepare singers well listeners for altogether
musical proclamation This a setting OF the
psalm 'Miscrere mel. Deus by Josquin de Pres.
the most excellent of composers before Palestrna.
the idol Of Luther and the admiration of the his
torian Ambros. It earlier period than that
of the Prince of Music In which Josquin lived, and
his psalm had less OF pure beauty in it than the
rnotet. also for five voices by Pales,rina, which
came later, but it was wonderfully interesting
with its reiterated burden. Have mercy
Cod" coming in with ever changing harmonies
after every stanza of the psalm. Between these
pieces a specimen Of German hymnology,
frank and ingenious. obvious blossom from
the old folk-song bush of centuries ago Then
chorale harmonized by Bach. sung by the
Peoples Choral Union. a of introit the
elaborate motet. BE Not Afraid" by the same old
master. a piece Gothic music. with a broad
foundation of chorale, uphoding elaborate
fugue. Another chorale closed this part of the pro-
gramme. and then came an instrumental number.
Handels Concerto crosse in d major, with its
arch minuet piquantly given that a repetition
was stOrmily demanded and conceded.
1t was the beginning of the secular music. When
the choir of the society returned to the stage it
distributed itself into six groups, four of women
and two of men, and sang the Oldest piece OF
written counterpoint in eXistence-the round "Su-
is icumen in account of which, together
with facsimile of the ancient manuscript.
printed in this journal Sunday last. The music
proved to be vastly dverting to the audience.
After it English gee by Battishill and
German part songs by Cornelius and Mendelssohn.
those of the latter forming gracious close to the
entertainment 1t scarcely needs to be said that
all OF this music with the exception of the Cor
nelius song being new to the choir. Mr. Damrosch
and his singers had undertaken large task in its
performance. consequence was that the high
standard set by some Of the earlier concerts
not maintained at all times; but the average was
high, and the mood which filled the audience as it
Left hall of pr0fOmnd graiiIndc-