Morris tribune., 1906-12-22

the OratOrlO 'sSauln follows the an
nouncement of the death of Saul and
Jonathan. 1t is solemn and majestic
dirge in which the sonorous pomp of
the trumpets and trombones combines
with the wailing of the oboes and
clarionets to express the intense grief
of a nation at the death of a hero.
Contrary to the general conception of
| funeral music it is written in = Major
and not in minor key. "See the
Conquering Hero Comes is from
"Judas Maccabaes." It's triumphant
strains are heard, alike upon the cleo
i ton of minor politician and the re-
turn of a victorious Dewey. Is
peciaIly dramatic and initiative is the
music in egypt in Israeli in the
descriptions of the plaques of water
turned to blood in the chorus in fugue
orm. "They loathed to drink of the
river" wildly depicting the sensa-
tons of the Egyptians and increasing
in loathsomeness with each repati-
ton. In the chorus "Their Land !
Brought Forth Frogs the hopping
of these little animals is brought out
in the accompaniment. When the
tenors and BASES in unison impress
sively sound "He spoke the Word,"
the sopranos and altos reply, "And
there came all manner of fiies," set to
a shrill buzzing accompaniment which
grows in energy as the locusts APP
pear. The remarkable initiative Choir
us ''He gave them Hailstones for
RAIN" is begun by the orchestra drop
by drop, increasing in tempo and
volume until instruments and voices
Join to depict the violence of the
storm. In contrast is the beautiful
tender melody of which follows, "But
as for his people he led them forth
like Sheep"
At time when HandeFs finances
were at low tide and his popularity
apparently on the wane, he was in
vited to Dublin. There before most
grand, polite and crowded audience
was first given his masterpiece the
"Messiah." Upton says, "other ora
tories may be compared one with an
other, the "Messiah" stands alone a
maiectic monument to the memory Of
the composer, an imperishable record
of the noblest sentiments of human
r nf
man." Couriers went to London tell
ing of Handel's triumph when the
oratorio was given there. In the an
ticipation of the crowds of attendance
ladies were requested to come with
out their hoops and gentlemen with
out their swords. When the climax
of the work, the grand Halleluia
chorus, with its wonderful harmonies
was being sung, the king and the
audience arose as mark OF appre-
citation and remained standing to It's
close. a custom still followed in Eng
gland and America. From that time
fortune smiled upon Handel,
his last wears were filled with peace
and honors. He gave many concerts
for charitable purposes and endowed
hospitals and other institutions. He
worked until the last. At the age of
"a he is pictured las blind but with an
inward vision all afame," conducting
his oratorio ''Eliiuh" before an audi |
ence of 5000 people.
His blindness did not greatly trouble |
him he said, ''What matters it, so long |
as 7 can hear.'' He took a keen in |
terest in affairs, (not musicaD was
well informed in literature and the |
politics of the day. His collection OF (!
pictures and articles of virtue was
large and valuable.
He desired to breathe his last on
Good Friday ''ln hopes of meeting his
good God, his sweet Lord and Saviour
on the day of resurrection" This
wish was granted; on that day he
passed away leaving ga name and
fame that will be cherished as long as
music retains its power over the hui
man heart"
Judge of Probate Babe holds gem
eral term of probate court on the first
Monday of each month and special