MUSIC OF THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
Music occupies a prominent place in the arrangements for the in- auguration of the Palace at Sydenham on this day week. There is to be a tuneful host, no less than a thousand strong, consisting of the best Metropolitan chorus-singers employed by the Sacred Harmonic and New Philharmonic Societies, who have volunteered their services; together with deputations from the choral societies of the manufacturing districts, where vocal harmony is most cultivated ; and with a band of brass- instruments, composed of the band permanently engaged by the Com- any, strengthened by performers from the military bands of the Guards. The musical arrangements are intrusted to the direction of Costa. The first idea of the projectors of the Crystal Palace was to erect in the building an organ of gigantic size and powers of corresponding magni- tude. With this view, they consulted several individuals who from their position and reputed attainments in mechanical as well as musical know- ledge might be supposed capable of speaking with voice potential on the subject. Those gentlemen presented a detailed report, made public by the Committee, recommending the erection of a sixty-four feet organ —an organ, that is, of which the great pedal pipe sounding the C an Octave beneath the lowest C of any existing organ, should be sixty-four in place of thirty-two feet long. They gave many directions about the construction and the placing of this monster organ, with rea- sons for believing that no smaller dimensions could produce the volume of sound requisite in so vast an expanse. Unfortunately, they took it for granted that their scheme was practicable, while any intelli- gent organ-builder could have told them it was not. When their report appeared, we made a single remark on it, which, however, was sufficient to upset -the plan,—namely, that the pulses of air passing through a sixty- four feet pipe would be too slow to produce a musical sound at all. The subject was then discussed more fully by a learned correspondent, who showed conclusively that the organ project could not be accomplished. From that time it was no more heard of; and the plan of a power- ful band of brass-instruments was adopted, and has been carried into effect. The band, we are told, is above fifty strong, and M. Schehal- len, an able musician, is permanently engaged on high terms as its conductor. We have no doubt it will answer quite well. The brass- instruments are now a numerous family, with a wide range from the ophicleide and trombone to the smallest species of cornet, and capable, from the many improvements lately made upon them, to execute almost every variety of music - while the whole family have that metallic timbre —that penetrating quality of tone—which, independently of its loudness, makes its way better than any other through large spaces of open air. Such a band seems the very thing wanted for the Crystal Palace.
In regard to the performance of next Saturday, we may observe that a chorus .nearly a thousand strong, accompanied by brass instruments, will probably produce a stupendous effect, provided that the music shall consist of great masses of harmony, without quick notes or complex combinations. The most sublime chorus in the world, the "Hallelujah" of Handel, is also one of the most simple ; and if, in addition to it, there were some of the old Lutheran chorales or palms, the effect would un- questionably be grand beyond expression. We have no doubt that the experienced conductor, in making the arrangements, will not overlook this obvious consideration.
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