The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-10
ORATORIO SOCIETY
GIVES ELGAR WORK
"Thc Dream of GerOntius" Re-
heated After Silence Of
Over Five Years.
AN ENGLISH MASTERPIECE

The Oratorio Society gave the first con-
cot of its season at Carnegie Hall last
night The work chosen for the occasion
was Sir Edward Cigars masterpiece, The
Dream of Gerontius" This great ora
trio. or cantdta CIT may fan into either
catecory), was first given here by the
Oratorio Society on March &c, 1903. 1t
had not been heard previous to last eve
ling since March 20. 1909 That 1t must
tom time TO time be repeated Is inevi-
table, for Il retains its place as one OF
the best compositions OF its kind.
When It was brought out here eleven
wears ago the present writer was moved
10 say. mo other English master has
given us such glorious work of this type.
Not since Mendelssohn's Elijah has Eng
land been the birthplace of such sacred
musical drama" This declaration has
not been shaken by the flight of years.
The Dream OF Gerontius" remains Eng
lands noblest contribution to the world S
music In the department OF oratorio. II
may BE- questioned moreover whether this
work will not In time be accorded a place
beside the best British creations In any
branch of music. It may be set beside
the operas of Purcell and the majestic
ecclesastic music Of Tails, Byrd and
others of the great English cathedral
schools
II Is not incumbent upon us TO settle
such matters All that We need TO know
is that when THE Dream OF Gerontius"
Is announced for performance an oppor-
tunity is offered to hear a work which
sings the faith Of the Roman Church with
the fulness Of "A deep conviction and the
compelling spell of poetic imagination. a
work which reaches a potent and inspirn &
dramatic utterance without violence TO its
own religious character a work which. ex-
cert in its reference to purgatory. can give
nIrit al 70 hn Irnt 20, .
as 20 the Catholic
II should also not he forgotten that this
creation brings into brilliant prominence
tire singing OF the chorus. There Is a
smaller vogue here for choral music than
there ought to be in view OF the master
creations which have been made for the
purpose OF introducing 1t. Sir Edward
Flgar's Dream OF Gerontius" claims a
place among the distinguished compo-
stlons IN the choral field and its splendid
handling OF vocal polyphony as well as
Sc nobly detained solo parts. is some
thing which every music lover can enjoy.
The performance OF the work last eve
Ming was one Of high merit Louis Koem-
menich conductor of the society. had en-
gagged Gervase Elves, the English tenor.
90 cross the Atlantic especially for this
concert. The contribution OF the tenor
20 the evenings music proved the wisdom
OF Mr.. Koemmenich. Mr.. Elwes's voice
is capable OF conveying feeling and the
singer has skill in his use OF II.
Furthermore. despite of his long service
as an Interpreter OF The Dream OF Ger
ontius" II was plain last evening that the
music still awoke his deepest sympathy.
lie sang II with great beauty of style.
with good phrasinG and with much emo
tional warmth. His delivery Of the great
solo beginning "Sanctus forts. Sanctus
Deus" was an admirable specimen of
oratorlo defamation OF the best type.
The other sOloists were Mildred Potter.
contralto. and Frank Croxton, bass. The
orchestra was that Of the symphony So
C.ety and Frank Sealy was at the organ
The choruses had been very carefully re-
hearsed and as a rule they were beau
tituly sung in respect OF graduation and
phrasing. The quality of tone was usually
fairly good. but there will continue TO be
room for improvement In this so long as
20 many of the veterans keep their places
IN the ranks.
Mr.. kommoniCh's reading showed n
real appreciation OF the composition and
both his temp. and his treatment OF the
nuances called for commendation. And, in
fine. The Dream OF Gerontius" is so fresh
and virile that 1t need not rest for an
other I'VE years.