New-York tribune., 1901-10-24
MUSIC AT YALE.
oRAroRIo AND THE ODE.


.-~srca-.onal scheme OF a university has not yet
ef -..sgsctor,ly determined. though tie question
- -, noo.ed many centuries In the middle
fSs -, ebe church filed the eye OF professor
as .,psent n the fulness that Justice Brewer IN
~ -,.rnorattve address indicated that public
nS.. nS ought 20 I'll il now, the incubation OF some
seIssre Of the traditional melodies OF the htur-
Ei' s,rs and prayers sufhced. and the acquire
81" s.,,r,Isss wrenehed the faculties OF many an
D-,s,,sl student In England's golden age gentle
-s,,sents were expected 10 sing pricksong and
~ 6escart; but the knowledge was little else
graceful accomplishment Chairs o: music
~ - visited IN Oxford. Cambridge and other uni
,.,es s,r centuries, but not they. but the Chapel
- ard the cathedral choirs have been the
so,ls N which EngIand's musicians have been
- Music lovers who have wished TO see
y. sr. receive the nurturing care OF our great
--svsr,itses but have known something Of the
INIT Of technical study necessary TO give pro-
sL.rrv IN the practice Of music even in the case
- -ersons gifted with musical talent have thought
s+ instruction IN the philosophy and the history
:. ,bA art might probably be placed IN the col
,..-s curriculum, and it's study as science 10 be
-ssss,nuaIly pursued by the graduate be relegated
y eve ~pecihc schools Of music. Professor Parker.
.v,ls University. has different notions. He thinks
-. knowledge OF music Is best demonstrated
- ,oss the symbols OF sound properly placed
-.,, psper. That is the mission OF the composer;
-, follows IS the business OF the performer and
issTer.
professor Parker is demonstrating HIS theory
,-.s striking success but II is by the production
- his own works. which owe nothing 10 university
..,ng but everything 10 his own genius directed
,s steadied by training received in music schools.
r-ns fact might be taken a text for discussion,
t,t II would scarcely be timely so long the glow
:, enthusiasm created by the musical features OF
,b, bicentennial celebration last; for they were
Sssuritl and impressive, and gave Yale's depart
,snt OF music dignity deserving Of hearty recog-
-,,ion Moreover, though il was disadvantageously
Claeed there in the programme OF the COM
,rarnorative exercises Of to-day example OF the
.,,s, of Professor Parker's teaching. The august
gathering in the Hyperion Theatre departed 10 the
music OF an orchestral march Of considerable merit.
cornposed and conducted by David Stanley Smith,
q Yale student who contributed the setting Of the
commencement ode last year.
The three musical features OF the celebration
which had real pith and moment were the perform
unce Of Professor Parker's oratorio, 'Hora Novis-
stma !" on Tuesday afternoon; the concert Of the
Boston Symphony Society yesterday afternoon, and
xbe production OF the Greek hymn by Professors
t,oodeu and Parker at the commemorative eXer-
eses OF the value OF the oratorio The Tribune has
spoken il words OF high appreciation again and
again Il is certainly the most vital musical COM
position IN a large form that American has
created Il is not only fresh and interesting now
as when il written, but il grows IN beauty
with each hearing. It's career has already ecllpsed
not likely go upon the shelf at pres
eut On the contrary, il viii doubtless give pleas
ure 10 many communities here and abroad for
years 10 come. Gratifying features in Tuesdays
performance. outside OF its manifestation OF the
creative capacity Of the Batteu professor OF the
theory OF music. was the singing Of the Gounod So
cisty OF New-Haven. and the inspiriring work OF
the solo singers Mrs Shannah Cumming, Gertrude
May Stein George Hamlin and Ericsson Bushnell
The conditions under which the singers sang and
the players played were calculated TO inspire en-
thusastc effort. and what they did won enthusi-
sstic appreciation.
The copcert to-day Of the Boston Symphony
Orchestra was a purely artistic offering, which
bore witness the high ideals which were kept
constantly in view during the week Of jubilee but
derived a special interest from the fact that MI
Henry I. Higginson whom President Hsdley char
gcterized as the '4deal Harvard graduate. and
who has spent some OF his ideal strivings in the
founding and maintenance OF this one Of the most
perfect, concert organizations in the world, was
among those who were invested with Yale's jubilee
honors. Something remains 10 be said about the
hymn written and set 10 music for the occasion
by Professors Gooden and Parker. Its substance
and form have been described IN The Tribune. All
that the readers OF the printed page enjoyed in
anticipation realized IL the hearing. Poet and
composer were equally honored in the enthusiastic
plaudits evoked by the performance. and record
Of the success OF 2 beautiful experiment must be
choruses; DR.. Carl Duft, barytone. and Mr.. Wal
lace Moyle. tenor. the solos; the New-Haven Sym
phony Orchestra played the instrumental part.
which, for euphoay, for It's ripe richness in color
effects and for its successful mediation between
the ancient ART OF the muses. and the modern art
o1 music, is simply masterful The stately opening
Of the hymn was profoundly impressive; the closing
epode sUperby uplifting The dread OF monotony
OF effect which might have been created in some
minds BY the dominance Of dactylic rhythms in
the poem and Professor Parker's obvious adherence
70 the principles OF eurythmy in his melodic set
ting were dissipated by the variety with which the
composer iubued his harmony and orchestraton-
IN the former element there was no suggestion Of
anuqGity, nor in the latter. unless one chose 10
assume il in the harp arpeggios which ushered in
the fourth strophe and antistrophe and the en-
Payment OF soft wood wind IN the trochaic and
pastoral second pair In this number, very gracious
IN It's opening effect there is unhappily. the one
lapse from the dignity and grace which animate
az the rest OF the hymn. II occurs in the or
ehestral reiteration OF fippant phrase 10 which
the words Charities euphiletoi' set in the
tIophe and "katephrones' Hathanas' in the anti
suophe The effect was an unexpected and un-
welcome douche OF operetta- The third strophe
enc antstrophe set for tenor solo. and IN this
number, expressively and elastically decaimd
bg Mr.. Moyle. Professor Parker has shown his
highest skin in the handling Of Greek verse forms.
as whole the composition Is beautiful and
ee'ive. even from the popular point Of view, that
would be pity II the fact that IL designed
ior al occasion should relegate il disuse. The
authors had an appreciative audience, and were
gwen much honor at the close OF each number and
ne END os the work. H E. x
Taalf L. N..fN ~