Mendelssohn's "Songs Without Words" Source: The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 1, No. 10 (Mar.

1, 1845), pp. 74-79 Published by: Musical Times Publications Ltd. Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/3370926 Accessed: 21/11/2008 12:44
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THE MUSICAL TIMES.

in singing-" Grammatices, cantus, computi were duly inscribed in the great choral books, ecclesiastici, aliarumque bonarum artium disci- where they are now to be found in the 38th and plinam discent." In the 24th sitting, however, 39th volumes. In the beginning of the year 1563 both these among other subjects, that of the Reform of Church Music was taken into consideration. motetts and also the mass were performed in the For of the forty-two points of which the matters Papal Chapel with the greatest effect. The under discussion consisted-the third referred to beautiful leading in of the voices, the noble the abolishing of too frivolous music from the fugues and imitations which, though deeply Church. The imperial Envoys, on the 10th Aug. learned, remained most simple and natural, so 1563, transmitted these forty articles to the completely threw into the shade (especially Emperor Ferdinand, who in his answer, speaking the mass, although amenable to criticism) the of the 3rd article, which referred to the aboli- similar compositions written by Josquin and tion of music of too frivolous a character, re- Brumel upon the church-tones, that these last marked that it would not be well to banish were never afterwards brought forward in that figural music entirely, since it was not unfre- chapel. One of the most successful ideas of Palestrina quently a strong incentive to devotion. This remark of the emperor's was quite in is exhibited in the 'Crucifixus,' a Quartett for consonance with the views of the council, as ex- two soprani and two contralti, and which, on pressed by them in the resolution which they account of its original, noble, and elevated chacame to at their 22nd sitting. racter, is held in the highest estimation and freLoudly and warmly as many of the other quently cited as a model. articles of Church Reform were discussed, the The satisfaction which his works now excited, subject of music appears to have led to nothing determined Palestrina to devote himself entirely of the sort. In the 25th and last sitting of the to his art. And he was confirmed in this resoCouncil it was not even mentioned. lution by Cardinal Rudolfo Pio di Carpi, a very It is erroneously said that the holy Fathers cultivated and learned appreciator of rare talent, had resolved to banish music from the Church; and who having sought the personal acquaintance that the decree was prepared, and only waited of Palestrina, was pleased to admit him, as well for the day of the sitting to be confirmed. Now as the other great artists of the time, into the it was by no means so: the Council had never most confidential intercourse. entertained the idea of banishing music from the It was to this Cardinal that Palestrina preChurch; only in the council of the 11th Septem- sented his surprising coqlection of four-voiced ber, 1562, (previous to the twenty-second sitting) motetts for all the festivals of the year, which some were inclined to vote that nothing but the were published at Rome, in 1563, by the brothers ' Canto Fermo' should be retained; but all the Valeria and Luigi Dorico, under the title other voices declared with Ecclesiasticus, "Non "Motecta Festorum totius anni, cum communi impedias musicam," it was resolved that nothing sanctorum quaternus vocibus a Joanne Petre should be banished from the Church, but merely Aloysio praenestino edita, liber primus superisuch secular music as was a scandal to it. orum permissa. Rome, apud hseredes Valerii We will now turn to Palestrina and his con- et Aloysii Doricorum fratrum brixiensium, 1563. nexion with the subject under our consideration. Of this volune four other editions were subseIn the year 1560, Palestrina, who was then quently published by the author-namely, three organist at the Lateran church, presented his at Rome, in 1585, 1590, 1622, and one at " Improperia," to the singers of the Papal chapel, Venice, in 1601. at the express desire of Pius the Fourth; who was so much delighted with it, that when the MENDELSSOHN'S "SONGS WITHOUT WORDS."-At master of the treasury, from financial motives, the top of Mendelssohn's music I find the "Lieder as proposed to reduce the pensions of the three ohne worte,"Book I. These are all compositions who had been dismissed from the chapel* remarkablefor their beautyas their novelty; and ir singers, in consequence of their being married, and of deed they have almostfoundeda new schoolof pianoTo write a series of songs without which number Palestrina was one, the Pope ex- forte playing. no words ordinarymind-but Mendelssohn desired that such pensions might suffer has norequires mind, and see how he has performed pressly ordinary no diminution. his task. The first one in E majoris an expressive In gratitude for this act of kindness, Palestrinat legato air in common time. Now tell me whether presented to the College of the Papal Singerss wordswouldnot mar the effectof such a strain. Is it two motetts, viz. "Beatus Laurentius," and "EstoteB not eloquent? Does it not appeal to the feelings? have imagined a thousand things to myself fortes in bello," together with a mass for six Why I its which I would not have disduring performance, voices written on the musical scale, under the turbed for the world; it is delightfulto be thus pertitle "Ut, re, mi, fa, sol, la." Trial wass mitted to supply our own poetry to these beautiful instantly made of these compositions, and, melodies; we feel it as a complimentfromthe comand experiencean additional having been found to be most admirable, theyr poser to the performer,

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VOCAL CLASS.-This class has been HALL pleasurein their interpretation. The whole of these CROSBY sterling works should be in the hands of everypiano- formed under the direction of Mr. C. G. Rowe, to forte player in the kingdom; and any person who qualifyits members to take part in the Choral and to cannotplay shouldget somebody play them to him. MadrigalSocietyconnectedwiththis Institution. The -From the musings of a Musician by H. C. Lunn. membersare young men of respectableconTHE GLEE-MEN.-It was in the character of a nexions in thechiefly On the 8th a publicperformance city. glee-man,joungleur,or harperand singer,that Alfred of severalfavouriteglees and madrigals,by the memvisited the Danish encampment. How highly the bers, seems to have been highly satisfactory. The valued,and how munificently most hopeful featureof the societyis the circumstance glee-men were formerly we rewarded, may collectfroma curiousfact: Edmund, of the weeklyrehearsalsevery Mondayevening. the son of Ethelred, gave a villa to Hitard his gleeSACRED HARMONIC GREENWICH SOCIETY.-This man orjoungleur;this glee-man,in the declineof life, Society, which consists chiefly of amateurs, gave a went on a pilgrimageto Rome: and previousto his of highly satisfactory performance the Creationat the journey gave the land to the church at Canterbury. LectureHall, on the 10th. In Doomsday-book, Berdic,a joungleurof the king is GLEECLUB.-William Dixon, Esq., stated to have possessedthreevillasin Gloucestershire. THE ABBEY the perseveringpatron of talent, both musical and -Musical World. having offeredtwo prizes,--oneof ten guineas, MUSICAL COMPOSITION.-The musical com- literary, latest that I have heard of in the town where I and a second of five guineas for the two best glees; position therewere four candidate all of much dwell,is that of an eminentorganist,who has made- merit. Mr. J. Coward's compositions, declaredto compositionwas (what think you ?)-a composition with his creditors, deservethe first to prize, and the second was awarded at the rate of five shillings in the pound,i. e. a sort of double counterpoint in the fifteenth, ratio 1: 4; and is that of Mr. James Howe. HARMONIC SOCIETY.-The annual general than many of the same SACRED esteemed a bettercomposition meetingtook placeat ExeterHall, on the 11th, whena grade have been able to accomplish.-Rusticus. report of the proceedingsduring the past year was read, the committee re-elected, and other business BRIEF CHRONICLE LAST OFTHE MONTH. transacted. It appears that twenty public performMANCHESTER HARMONIC SOCIETY.-This Society, ances had takenplace duringthe year, to ten of which nowin its fifthyearof existence, takesits standamongst the subscribershad admission; that the list of subthe influentialAssociations the Borough. The choir scriberswas nearly full; that the receiptsof the year of now consists of upwardsof one hundred singers, (of have exceeded ?4,900; and that in addition to the whomeighty are amateurs), an orchestra about invested propertyof the society, the balance in the and of of hands was upwards ?300. The society's fifty. Much good may be effectedby such a society, treasurer's and performances last month were "Judas Maccabeus," by a careful selection of music for performance, the formation a good libraryof parts. of twice, and they have announced" Purcell'sJubilate," At a public concert given by this society on the in D, and a selectionfrom Handel, &c., for the 5th of 23rd of January,in the Free Trade Hall, an audience March. of above two thousandpersonswere entertained with HULL.-The SacredHarmonicSociety, on the 14th, a fineselectionfromHandel'sOratorios the Messiah gave an interesting selection from Mendelssohn's of and Solomon, Mehul'sJoseph,and Mozart's12thMass. sublime oratorioof " St. Paul." The choruseswere OLDHAM.-On 3rd a vocal concertwas given by especially effective, owing to the careful rehearsals the the pupilsformingMr. Jackson'sFirst Singing Class, which had been bestowed on them. Eight hundred who have been taught on Wilhelm's Method, they personswerepresentin the hall. THE CECILIANSOCIETYon the 15th performed sang variousglees and madrigals. MANCHESTER.-We glad to hear that the Gardiner's are Judah, adaptedfromthe worksof Haydn, consistingof con- Mozart, and Beethoven. monthlyconcertsat the Athenteum, certed music and choruses,are constantlyincreasing THE EDINBURGH PROFESSORSHIPagain is MUSICAL and in attraction interest. vacant. Testimonialsfrom candidatesare invited by ChoralSociety,lately established public advertisement, the 20th of March. LICHFIELD.-The by here, is doingmuch to promotethe taste for the best SIR HENRY R. BISHOP has been appointed conclass of music, which had been previously on the ductor of the series of Philharmonic Concertsof the season. decline, for this Cathedraltown. The selections at approaching has the concertsgiven in Octoberand Januarylast, were DR. MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY been applied fromthe best masters,and veryrespectably performedto, inviting him to conduct the Norwich Musical band. Festival, appointed to take place next September, by both choraland orchestral The annualmeetingof the CHORAL was FUND held commencingon the 16th. at the Freemasons' SOCIETY.-The 104th anniversary Tavern,on Ash Wednesday. Mr. THE MADRIGAL readthe report, of the Madrigal Society took place on the 16th Jan., Southgate,the indefatigable secretary, which proved that the expenditure during the last LordSaltounpresiding; supported abouta hundred by twelvemonths to afflictedmusicians-including pen- professors and amateursof music. The programme sions to widows. and orphans-had greatly exceeded containedthe followingcompositions. its income. This society, when its objects are con- Hide not thy face, Farrant; Within a greenwood, sidered,has greatclaims upon public support. Ferretti; 0, sleep, fond fancy, Bennet: Now each THE PULTENEY MADRIGAL SOCIETY.-Some of the creature, Farmer; Lady, see, on everyside, L. Marenmembersof Mr. Hullah's upper class have formeda zio; Come,gentle swains,Cavendish; Kyrie Eleison, societyunderthe abovename, at the WesternInstitu- T. Leo; Die not, fond man, J. Ward; At the sound tion, Leicester Square. On the 10th they sung a of her sweetvoice, Quintiani; Ah, dearheart,C. Gibnumberof glees and madrigals a crowdedaudience bons; I love, alas! I love thee,Morley; On the plains, to of theirfriends. fairytrains,Weelkes; Finale.-J. Saville.