17 JANUARY 1835, Page 12

MUSIC OF THE WEEK.

MATTERS of sterner and deeper import compel us to condense our musical notices.

The first Philharmonic Trial was on Monday ; and the pieces per- formed were a Sinfonia by POTTER, another by Lucas, an Overture by Mosensus, and a Pianoforte Concerto by HATTON. As these will have to abide the decision of the Directors, we forbear giving any de- cided opinion as to their merits; in which, as might be expected, there are many shades of difference. All display great industry, and some great ability. Mr. HATTON is a Liverpool professor, whom we re- member to have beard at one of the Vocal Concerts last year. His composition, as well as his playing, amply deserved the applause of the assembled audience of critics. An Instrumental Composition by SPOHR iS in preparation for the next Rehearsal—more descriptive, as we learn, in its character, than any former similar production.

The anniversary of the Madrigal Society was on Thursday ; when Freemason's Hall was filled with the lovers of this style of vocal writing : among them, all the most eminent English singers and composers. The golden (lays of Queen Bess were, certainly, also the golden days of English music. There is no period in which the musicians of this country, as a body, stood first in the scale of excellence, but this. WILUYE, GIBBONS,. BATFSON, MORLEY, and their contemporaries, have bad no rivals, English or foreign, in that difficult yet delightful branch of their art which they pursued with such assiduity. They leave us to wonder and admire, but hopeless to imitate the consummate excellence at which they arrived. It is a pleasing indication of a return to musical taste, that these delightful compositions, which but a few years since were sung and beard only by the members of what seemed to be an ex- piring society, should now have assembled so ninny admirers as appeared at this anniversary, including the most eminent English composers and singers of the present day. Sir JOHN ROGERS filled the chair, with that ability and courtesy for which he is so eminently disfinguishcd. The following is a list of the pieces performed—

Voices. Composers. Date.

• 0 clap your hands," 1st Part } " God li gone op." 2,1 Part 8 ...

0. 6100055. ....

1612 " When Thoralis delights to walk".... 6 ... T. WETLY( ER .... 1600

" Sigh not, fond shepherd"

5 . G. FERKErf I .... 15'40 " 0 sleep, fond fancy" 4 . J. ItENNEr 1519

" Hope of my heart"

5 ... ■ . W A RD 1613

" Almighty God"

4 . T. Funny 1614

" Stay, limpid stream "

5 ... L. MARENZIO .... 15z0 " Landate Dominant" 5 ..,, 1,. Rosst 1630

" Smile not, fair Amaryllis"

5 .. I:. PizzoNt 155

" Ilard by a crystal fountain"

5 T. NI-,111.r.e

10,1 " 1.ady, your eye"

5 ... T. NV t:Er.avs ..... Ina)

" Lady, is hen I behold "

6 . J. WI!.HTE 159A " 0 tiv not, Love " 5 .. T. ItA-remrs WOO " Fa la Is" (the Waits) 4

J. SAVI I it

1660

The selection was not, on the whole, so rich as that of last year ; bat it contained some pieces of unrivalled vocal grandeur, particularly Ginaress's " 0 clap your bands," and of mastcrlyconstruction. Among the latter, the Madrigals of' BeNNET and L. Mansxzio were delight- fully conspicuous.

The Vocal Concerts commence on Monday ; when, we observe, SPOIIR'S " Christian's Prayer" is to be produced. Among the vocal- ists, a daughter of Mrs. BIANCHI LACY will make her first appearance in thi; country; of whose powers we have heard a most satisfactory report.