New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-04-18

seemed gCrmane 10 the Boston incident
and to combat the notion 10 which
Americans themselves have been too
prone to subscribe that the colonists
we're Doors who knew little or nothing
Of the refinement which music brings
to q people. The establishment OF the
Handel and Haydn Society hundred
wears ago and its splendid career IS
tribute 70 the spirit which created II
and the refinement Of the community
which has preserved 1t.
THE NEW ORATORIO.
Il was peculiarly fitting that the cen
-eDarv anniversary should be marked
By the production Of a new work IN the
department 10 which the society is de-
voted There is an almost universal
feeling that tho oratorio form is mort
bund. and nothing has been more de-
plorable for more than a decade past
than the small interest shown by the
public in all oratorio concerts except
the Christmastide performances or
HandeVs Messiah" When Professor
Parker was commissioned some two
years ago 70 write work for the cen
tenarv celebration he was burdened
with a peculiarly delicate and dlincuit
task. Respect had to be paid. TO ira
dition and Difference to the taste and
feeling Of the newer day. The result
Of his collaboration with Mr.. Brian
Hooker has the appearance Of beng as
near satisfactory solution Of the
problem as could have been expected.
Mr.. Hookcr's poem, "MOrven and the
Grail" is a bit bewilderinG in ITS
structural scheme, especially IN us
tumble Of chronological sequence, but
il is most admirably contrived for mu-
steal investiture Of the kind which
holds its way between the too archaic
and the too modern style, and thus
was capitallv calculated to call out
the best characteristics OF Professor
Parker's talent. What dumfOunds the
lover Of the Grail legends is that Mr..
Hooker has created a new quester. a
new quest and q new grail, and fails 20
make the nature Of any one Of the
three elements clear The name OF
Morven is unknown to Grail literature.
We do not know that 1t belongs to any
literature. unless it be associated with
that Of Morvan Lez-Breiz, more or
less doubtful figure in Breton legends.
The progress Of the quest by this
Morven is no less bewildering than his
personality. He is hidden By the
angels Of the Grail 10
Follow the vision
Follow the Grail
and he fares westward.
zone way, the suns way Onward,
westward. one way, the souls
way" following "one dream, the
worlds dream" until he reaches the
Island Of Avalon. the heaven OF pleas
ure. and there for time he abldes
in bliss. listening to the Turing song OF
the pursuer- Of pleasure. but Tearing
also ain has heart the song o. Slgurd
the Volsung, chanting the fierce de-
light OF battle as he rides iorth
against the dragon. And Morven be-
comes aware how man may not CON
tent himself in sweet JOY and that the
Grail. which is the desire Of his soul
is not in Avalon. He fares forth
again, strong in manly resolve, and
reaches Nalhalla Of the Old Gods, THE
heaven of stark manhood and there
he abides in glory for space. greeted
bv Nalhalla's heroes and welcomed 70
their board. In Nalhalla. not IN Ava
lon, one would have thought that Nor
ven would meet with the dragon
SLAYER. Sigurd, but instead IT is Saint
Cecilia whom he hears Gin his soul,
as il were" hymning Christ the Lord.
But the Grail is not in Nalhalla, and
Norven resolves to seek the desire of
his soul elsewhere:
~ will 60 in my sins
As a pilgrim, seeking
Whittier the tears
Of the world forever,
Calm with forgiveness,
Flow like shining
River OF peace
Before Christ in heaven
Among the saints in heaven he hears