New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-16
BETHLEHEM FESTIVAL.
Choir Sings Weu-The Church
again Filled scith Listeners.
rBy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

Bethlehem. Penn. May 1.-THE fifth day OF the
Bach Festival devoted 10 the production of two
eantatas Der Eimmel Lacht'' CsThe Heavens
laugh'D. composed for Easter. and "Gott Fahret
aus" GOOD Goeth Up'D, written for Ascension Sun
day The performance presented many questions
FOR the discussion OF musicians Cwho by the way
have been invited TO leave the town II they find
themselves In disagreement with local opinion
touching the Interpretation OF Bach's music everv
Berhlehernite seemingly having received a gift Of
penary inspiration in this matter1 but 1t was such
q delight TO get acquainted with the music that
there be only pleasure in the retrospective con-
temptation OF IL longing speculation touching
what might have been had performance and occa-
sion occupied the beautiful and ideal plane
prefer therefore TO write down the little chapter of
history. pay merited compliment TO the choir for
The spirited manner in which il sang the two open
tg choruses OF the cantatas give utterance 20 the
gratitude which all the intelligent lovers Of this
archaic but ever fresh music feel toward Mr.
Wolfe for the opportunity which he has given them
90 enjoy unique experience, and conclude a pro-
fessionsl task and duty by few comments on the
music
The cantatas heard tonight followed the formula
described IN this journal last Tuesday in the dis
cussion OF ''Wachet Auf." The first introduced
feature new In the music OF the week. though sug-
gested IN the introduction 10 the ''Magnifcat' on
Monday evening This was set orchestral intro
ducrion IN the old sonata form. Then followed a
fve-vOiced fUgue Of marvellous freshness. After
ward the usual series OF recitatves and arias
and the close the customary chorale, the melody
Of which had been anticipated, with ingenuity
and beauty which caused peculiar swelling OF the
heart in the instrumental accompaniment to a
graceful soprano aria beginning Day Of Parting,
Dawn Ne" and expressive OF longing for death
and predatory to the hope of immortality to which
the chorsle which followed gave voice. The can
tata was composed in Ills. and belongs to Bach's
Wenar period, historical fact which is particu-
larry interesting view OF the freshness and vigor
Of the solo parts The Intervening OF the contra
runtal voices around the chorale melody in the
soprano aria mentioned called up Luther's naive
and pretty description OF the old capella compo-
sitions which he loved, when about pious tenor
(the Cautus FGrmus) the other voices leap and play
like merry children around their father
The second Ascension cantata is less interesting
II its vocal solo parts though there is marvellous
obbzato for two oboes In the alto solo. Though no
make all works OF this character about half an
hour long) It is divided into parts There was
nc significance in this division in to-night's per
fo-mance but in Bachs day the sermon was
preached between them. The organ was used in
the recitatve with satisfa Glory effect tonight be-
cause the harTnonies were sustained and there
fore adapted TO the organ style, which the snort
chords tr the Passion music not Moreover,
the organist wisely avoided the reed stop, which
hlzred and snarled to the irritation of all
sensitive listeners nerves on Thursday. The solos
were sung by Miss Rebecca Mackenzie, OF New
York soprano: Mrs. w. L. Estes, local contralto
Theodore Van YORK and Julian Walker. The listen
ers again completely filed the church. whose ex-
ceIent .daptabiy for the purposes Of the festival
Is large factor in the sum of success attained
Tomorrow the minor mass will be performed
entire in two sessions, and the meeting viii end
HEX.