Connecticut western news., 1920-04-29

in the strictest detail As his direc- tions were known to only very lima ited number of his friends in Nor folk the performance will be regard ed as authoritative. Along with "Hora Novissima" will be given two orchestral works by Bach and Beet hoven, who were known to be the favorite composers of the. dead mu- sician.
 The chief glory of American mu- f sic still vests in the composers "Hora Novissima," a work which is known throughout the world and which bids fair in time to become as popular in America as HandePs Messiah" in England. "Hora Novissima" made the fame of the composer and in it there are such a mingling of splen- did melody, noble harmony and mas tery of learned style that it still represents his genius at its best; a work by which American choral mu- sic was carried to lofty eminence. When we bring before us the truth, beauty and celestial glory of "Hora Novissima" we can imagine Horatio Parker as making for himself the prayer of St. Bernard before att tempting to write the text for the celestial country, "Lord to the end that my heart may think, that my pen may write and that my mouth may set forth thy praise, pour into | my heart and pen and mouth thy grace". In the making of "Hora Novissima" the grace of God was consciously and humbly sought by Horatio Parker. The Lord grant him rest eternal and let light perpet- ual shine upon him.
 Concert Dates
 The dates for the dress rehearsal and concerts are as follows:
 Monday evening, May 31, dress rehearsal of the Redemption" and Flora Novissima" for chorus, solo- ists and orchestra.
 Tuesday evening, June 1, concert rendition of Redemption.
 Wednesday evening, June 2, con- cert rendition of "Hora Novissima."
 Thursday evening, June 8, concert of orchestral music.
 Orchestral Works-old and New
 It can be definitely stated now that there will be at least one new composition at our festival and if other manuscripts are handed in and there is time to arrange for their presentation there will be more than one new work presented. The com position which will receive first rem dition anywhere at our coming fes- tival is by Edward Burlingame Hill of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is entitled, Prelude to the Trojan Women"
 Our orchestral compositions known in the musical world as the Norfolk compositions now number over 30 and have been freely used by orchestras all over the, world dur ing the past winter. It may give some idea of the popularity of these works when 1t is stated that John Allen Carpenters symphony, Ser, mons in Stones" was given twice by the Symphony orchestra of New York. "Aphrodite", by Chadwick. was given twice by the same organi- ration and Percy Grainger's Norfolk composition was given twice; all within week. ' The Canaan Choral Society
 For 16 years the Canaan Choral society has been a proud and humble member of the great musical organi- zation-the Litchfield County Chor- al union. Proud of it's privileges and benefits accruing from its re- lationship to the most unique and famous organization of its kind in the world, humble because it is but one dim shade of color in the beau tiful mosaic of the main structure.
 It is difficult for me to give de- tailed report of the seasons work; having been unable to attend the weekly rehearsals. ' The year was an uneventful one- the chorus meeting with its usuaI regularity during the five months allotted to it for instruction. \ There were 21 rehearsals held To- cally, with three joint rehearsals with the other societies in Norfolk. The total membership for the year was 1858, the total attendance 1,722, making the yearly average 87-9-10 per cent; this, while good considering the unusual amount of sickness in our town, is not worthy of applause.
 A pleasant memory to recall was the unexpected and unheralded visit of our loved host and hostess, MT. and Mrs. Stoeckel, on one of the last rehearsals held in our town. They were kind enough to commend our work and to note improvement in tone and pitch.
 The music chosen for study prov