New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-02-25
MUSIC.
4 NEG English OratOriO.

At the first service recital OF the Church
choral Society. which took place in st. Thomas
Church yesterday afternoon. NJ s Colerdgs
Taylor's "Atonement" composed for the Three
Cholrs' Festival. held IN Hereford England. last
September. had its lrst American performance
The occasion Mas rendered dign!Hed and beautiful
by its surroundings and the forces employed were
IN all respects commensurate and worthy. though
there were the usual drawbacks Of a daylight meet.
ing I'm a busy metropolis. Enough was offered.
however. 10 reflect credit o. the society and its
jealous and energetic musical director Mr. Richard
Henry Warren. and 10 furnish an occasion for at
least brief discussion Of the work. The choir,
which had line representation. though its ranks
were not quite fun. marshalled about one hundred
and hIty voices; the orchestra about sixty instru
ments. The solos were sung by Mrs Theodore J.
Toedt. Miss Bessie Tudor Mrs. Richard Henry
Warren. Kelley Cole and Arthur Philips. VIII c.
Macfarlane played the organ. All the performers
Observation-Disclosures and singers alike choristers
vestments. The singers occupied the chancel. the
orchestra the front pews OF the nave into which
the organ console and conductors desk had also
been moved a churchly spirit pervaded the meet
ing and Influenced both performers and singers.
The orchestra provided impressive introit with
the Good Friday music from Wagner's 'ParsifaI'
and peculiarly uplifting pOstlude with the air
from Bach's suite in d arranged for full orchestra
and organ. Before the sacred cantata whose PRO-
ouction was the chief business Of tho afternoon
congregation. choir. orchestra and organ united in
a performance OF the familiar Passion chorale 20
Sacred Head. Now Wounded: after the csntata
there was a brief collect and the benediction.
Concerning the structure and style Of Mr.. Tay-
lor's work something was spoken in this journal
last Sunday. 1t treats Of a subject which has in
spired some OF the greatest composers that have
ever lived It VIII probably inspire musicians as
Ions as music IS an art. No matter what strange
phase music may enter, 1t viii be likely TO find
tones for the illustration and celebration Of the
tragedy OF Calvary. Stupendously dramatic the
story VIII always appear, and the dramatic ele-
ment VIII IN all likelihood always color efforts
give IL musical investiture Mr. Taylor lifted him
self into a place Of eTninence among English COM
posers at least few years ago with his setting
OF scenes from LongfellOw's "IIiawatha-" There
gained him a festival commission which he filled
with the sacred cantata-it has oratorlo proper
tions-heard here yesterday He had also served
q considerable apprenticeship in church music. hav
ing begun his public career writer OF anthems.
More than a decades experience, therefore. found
its fruiti0n IN The Atonement." The work
seriously undertaken and its ground plan
laid out dignifed lines The orchestra was
enlisted for dramatic delneation OF musical pict-
ures Of the tramp Of the Roman soldiery and the
march along tho way OF sorrow. The chorus was
10 be alternately narrative, IN the epic vein and
dramatic. There TO be dramatic persOnases.
too-Jesus. His Virgin Mother. Mary Magdalen.
pllate and his wife. The modern dramatic device Of
typical phrases to be employed Unhappily,
Mr.. Taylor Is not master OF dramatic expression
nor a master constructionIst the reflective lines
and n this department good deal Of a sentiment
alst. lie is most at ease. most fluent when writ
ing melodies. This plainly evident in tho scene
between PLATE and his wife. which has warmth
and fuency but IS strangely out OF place in piece
Of so solemn a nature. For the shortcomings OF
the work Il f. likely that the book written II
10 bring the lyrical element 10 the fore. IS largely
responsible. No paraphrase OF the Gospel story,
with an infusion of sentimental milk and water.
can ever hope TO compete with the strong narra-
lives Of Saints Matthew and Luke.
There IS much that Is interesting much that IS
elevated. much that IS beautiful. in THE Atone
mont": but 1t is not great work, not plane
with the subject
Mr.. Warren's choir IS a jealous body. and nota-
BE also for excellence OF tonal quality. 1t can
emit a f0rtissimo without shrieklng. and there Is
refreshrent ia the warmth and fulness Of its con-
fined utterance There were moments OF hesitation
yesterday. but no false information or harsh utter
ances TO offend the and outrage taste. Tho
orchestra, toe. played well. though greater elias
tlcty and variety OF uuance and color are dcsira-
BILE After yesterdays rehearsal they viii doubt
less be found IN to-nisht's performance; for the
service IS 10 be repeated tonight Mr. Ihilips's
defamation OF the words OF Christ were scarcely
impressive Nr. Cole sang with suavity, purity
and intelligence and Mrs Toedt was blessing.
Hers was the singing OF artist, serene. exalted
restfuL expressive pure. eloquent. convincang-a
model which ali local church and oratorio singers
might study with proht