The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-01-29
"FO0TST0NES OF A NATION"
Production Willard Paten and George E. Bertrand Is
First Reading the Commercial ClubThe Work Pre-
N Strong Both Musicaly and Literary Way

Those who were 50 fortunate as to be
present at the Commercial club rooms
last evening to hear the first reading OF
Willard Patterns latest work. "Footstones
Of a Nation and who also heard the
first rendition Of Isaiah by the same
composer at the opera-house some. years
ago, could not but contrast the two oc-
casions and compare, SO far as memory
might serve, the two works launched into
the world by the composer. The isaiah
was produced with all the accessories Of
principals, chorus and orchestra, and
achieved for its composer the plaudits
Of large and thoroughly pleased audi
ence. The rendition of the later work
last evening by a little band of chosen
singers was heard by perhaps hundred
of the personal friends of the composer
and of the author, whose fine work at
forded the text for the composition. The
applause on this occasion was not a whit
less enthusiastic than the former. and
the audience was vastly more critical.
"Footstones of a Nation" is the rather
unfortunate title chosen to include the
text which refers solely and distinctively
to the early days of the Pilgrims in
America, and neither to the Cavalier nor
to the Arcadian. Indeed. it could not
and have the whole included in a work
to be given in one evening. 1t would
seem, nevertheless. that a title might
have been chosen which would more closely
have characterized the scope of the sub
ject. However, that may be. both author
and composer have completed their work
in careful and reverential spirit.
The text written by George =. Bertrand
opens with prologue Sailing of the
Pilgrims.'' which begins with the fol-
lowing lines: ...,,...,
who with transcendant vision shall fore
The marriage or events, with, time and
place
Whereby the goal of human destiny
Draws nearer through the inviolate law Of
God?'
To this Mr.. Patten has written a solo
for barytone in quasi-recitative descrip-
tive of the causes which led to the sailing
of the pilgrims; their sorrow,
"Beholding England fade into the sea,
AS if the pillars of the world were quilted
Forever in the oblivion Of the past;
and closing with this apostrophe, worthy
of the pen of a Tennyson:
20 England. blind with pride of ancient
power
That treasured the Worn letter Of old
o purblind to that clearer light, which
Above the mists oershadowing world
Grown fallow with the blight Of creed and
crown! .,. 80,
O narrow visoned. that thy .purest blood
Went from thee bearing Freedoms hal
lowed fire.: -. ,t.-
To eclipse in after tina thy. world-re-
nown: .t....g. =,
What though with power long Graded, on
the sea,
Thou from thy myriad prows, dost shed
afar
The fire Of ancient empire from the North.
To burn beneath the stars of every
Cline"
AS the prologue advances the music
becomes more replete with melody; at
times it Is almost majestic and again
sorrow and regret are plainly depicted.
1t was we'll sung last evening by Frederic
Fayram - ~ q "a - -'-e-. F., e.
The second number is. entitled Mid
Ocean Hymn" and>%is SUPPOSED to be
sung by the Pilgrims on the Mayf1ower.
The deeply religious ointment Of the
words is we'll portrayed by the music, in
troduced as it is by a fine harmonic pro-
gression. Indeed the composer has with