17 JANUARY 1846, Page 19

MUSIC.

THE MADAINIAL SOCIETY.

Tam anniversary festival of tlie4fladrigalians, on Thursday, at Freema- son's, was celebrated with great success; and if the singers were not nu- merically in the force that they have been sometimes found on these occasions, the choir was not less efficient. Indeed, it seemed to us, that many of the beautiful pieces of the Elizabethan age, of which the selection chiefly consisted, were never heard with greater effect or in purer combi- nations; and the noble chairman, Lord Saltoun, with reason congratulated the vocalists and musicians assembled on the success of their performances.

In the absence of Hawes through indisposition, the post of conductor was occupied by Mr. Turk; who, if we may judge by the number of pieces called for a second time, gave much satisfaction in his arduous office. Occa- sionally, too, the repetition presented an opportunity to correct slight errors of time or style, which the singers of this old music, with its long notes and numerous ligatures, are apt enough to fall into, partly from over-luxuriating in the music itself; and partly from the absence of that marked rhythm which characterizes.the modern school of composition. From these causes, the absolute march of voice with voice in complete ensemble is a matter of considerable difficulty in madrigal performance; and it is remarkable, con- sidering the numerous voices combined on these occasions, forming a body of tone and giving a clearness to the motion of the parts which are delight- fill to the listener, that so near an approach to this desideratum should be accomplished by a miscellaneous assembly, many-of whom join only at long intervals in such festive vocal celebrations. It is a great advantage to the madrigal style of music, which has now, as Lord Saltoun observed, become fairly established in England, that the novelties of the last two or three centuries, continually presented to us, go from the first so very nearly according to the intention and spirit of the author. Finer nuances in the combination, more delicate contrasts of light and shade, may be required occasionally in order that a performance shall embody the_ ideal of the musician; but it is the characteristic of madrigal performance, especially such as is heard at these performances, that the music comes out from the first. This it is that realizes the luxury of table-sing- ing, of which madrigals afford the finest specimena. Without painful elaboration by rehearsals—without any effort to disturb the gastric funntions—a man stretching his legs under a table, and taking, like Fal-

staff, his "ease at his inn," may sing them "full-throated," and enjoy the first impression of a composition in all the gloss of novelty. To have re- vived the taste for and thoroughly reestablished a branch of composition so rich in associations, and so well adapted to the sympathies of Englishmen; must be very gratifying to Sir John Rogers and the old members of the

Madrigal Society. The simplicity of this style, with graver transient re- collections of all that is beautiful and permanent in vocal art, is doubly recommended at the present day by the force of contrast. We are so accus- tomed to effects gained by effort and elaboration, and so much enters into modern music foreign to its native genial spirit, that we recur to the art as it pleased in the age of ruffs and trunk-hose, with some misgivings that our ancestors better understood the matter than ourselves. After " Non noble," which is always a feature of the anniversaries, from the strength of tone and beautiful effects of light and shade with which it is given, the music opened with "In life's gay morn," by Dr. Tye. The pro- ductions of this composer generally illustrate the close alliance of sim- plicity and solemnity; and in the equal notes of this composition, sounding like an antiquely-harmonized four-part hymn, that expression seemed to be reached in perfection. In Weelkes's fine madrigal, "As Vesta was," we had a perfect contrast to this,—abundant movement of the parts, the most

ingenious imitations, and a six-part harmony disposed with the richest and most satisfactory effect. The performance was not unworthy of the

admirable composition. The Flemish composer Waelrent came out

between Morley and Ford with great credit to his country. In pa- thos and a certain pleasing quaintness of style, the madrigal " Hard by &- fountain " is rarely surpassed. A composition by the late President, Sir

John Rogers, " 0 say, ye saints," was performed twice, with much applause; discovering not only smooth vocal part-writing, but a very unusual insight into the peculiar structure of the madrigal style of composition. Clan's " Kyrie" for five voices, published in the Fitzwilliam Music, was not quite successful. It is a work that would be better heard with the accompani- ment designed by its author. " The silver swan," by Gibbons, was the

gem of the evening, and called forth acclamations of delight. Like the beautiful object it celebrates, which often in solitary state is seen diffusing

interest through a wide landscape, Gibbons's madrigal is to all others. It stands alone. The repose, the exquisite cadence, and voluptuous disposal of the harmonies in positions that revive the idea of Mozart and Beet- hoven, seem to have been suggested by contemplation of the swan, that " proudly rows his state With oary feet." " Down in a flowery vale," by Festa, preserved its popular character. Wilbye's madrigal, " Thus saith my Cloris," was also admirably given, and much enjoyed by the company. As the good old Sir Roger de Coverley praised Christmas for its cleverly falling out in the most dead season of the year, so we must laud the Madri- gal Society for establishing their anniversary meeting at a period when good music is scarce. Such a performance as the one of Thursday gives an impulse to the love of art throughout the country, to which provincial visiters transmit their impressions. So genial a meeting leaves us not only satisfied with our present entertainment, but well disposed to renew it on as early an occasion as may present itself.