MUSIC.
"The Breathings of Song," Nos. I. to VIII. By GEORGE HAIL.. ()REAVES.
These eight songs are of Liverpool manufacture : the poetry, the
music, the engraving, are all the work of the artists of that town,—and they are highly creditable to it. Mr. HARGREAVES has come under our notice before, and the opinion we then gave is confirmed by these very clever compositions. He is a man of good taste—one who seems to think that music may as well be wedded to good poetry as to had; and, with- out travelling beyond the circle of a single family of his neighbours, he will find abundance of fit and worthy employment for his muse. The first of this set of songs (" Winter") is set to the beautiful lines in the volume which the talented family of ROSCOE published under the title of" Poems by a Family Circle." Mr. HARGREAVES has displayed great skill, and no inconsiderable genius, in his arrangement of them. We recommend a revision of the bass (bar 5, page 3); and we should avoid the enfeebling repetition of the words " which teach," (a prac- tice to which composers are too prone), by continuing the bind a little further. No. 3, "The Whisper," is a very sweet melody in A b; as is also No. 6, "The Myrtle." The words of the latter are furnished by one of the family to which we have alluded, and eminently beautiful they are. There is an aiming at effect in " Rivald," which ends in no- thing. In this respect, the poetry and the music of this song are alike. The Chamois Hunters," No. 8, possesses considerable originality and vigour. It is within the compass of a bass voice, and, in good hands, would be effective and popular. In reviewing a former composition of Mr. ThatoeuAves, we recommended greater attention to melody : he has taken our advice, and given to the singer his first consideration, to the accompanist his second and subsidiary place.
"My pretty Kate ;" a Ballad. By A. BETTS.
This very pleasing ballad was composed expressly for the author 's daughter ; and it is one of his most successful efforts in song-writing.
"Listen, sweet lady love ;" a Serenade. By JOHN BIRD. Considered as the production of an amateur, this song deserves com- mendation. Its modulation is confined within the narrowest possible limits ; but its melody is pretty enough.
"Come, fill your glasses, my brothers ;" a German Bacchanalian Song, sung by Mr. BRAHAM at the Oratorios, Musical Festi- vals, Ste.
All the German drinking-songs that we have seen are inferior to our best English ones : this is as good as the rest, and not better. Mr. BRARAM'S name is used in the titlepage—we should he glad to know into what oratorio he has introduced this song, or at what musical festival he has ever sung it. We have no faith in the accuracy of the statement. It would have disgraced either.
Brilliant Rondo for the Pianoforte. By Jonn ABEL. We are happy in being able to speak of this specimen of a young composer's talents in terms of decided commendation. It is written in the best style of pianoforte music, and displays both fancy and musical acquirement in no inconsiderable degree.
"My lovely Brunette ; " written and composed by Mrs. MARSHALL.
We have tried to discover something in this song on which to bestow a little civil approbation, but it has been "labour lost." The fair com- poser would have acted more prudently to have introduced her Brunette to the circle of her immediate friends only.
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