The performance of Judas Maccabeus at Exeter Hall, on Monday,
afforded a striking proof of the effect of a master-mind in directing the movements of a great orchestra. The choruses of this oratorio have always been placed by musicians among the most highly-wrought and the grandest of Handers works, and several of them have been frequently in- cluded in the miscellaneous programmes of festivals and concerts. The oratorio has been frequently performed entire by the Sacred Harmonic Society, but without ever making a strong impression on the audience. The choruses seemed noisy rather than grand, indiscriminate force made them heavy and monotonous, and their beauties of construction were con- cealed by slovenliness of execution. Profound and intricate counterpoint is one of their most remarkable features; in which they resemble those of Israel in Egypt. They are full of the nicest details, which, unless ex- pressed with care and delicacy, create nothing but unintelligible confusion; and such has often been the effect produced on our ears by their perform- ance. Under Costa's direction the effect was totally different. Softness and smoothness were beautifully blended with power; and such was the precision of the execution, that the harmony, in its most complex details,
was as transparent as if the written score had been before us. It hap- pened, unfortunately, that the weather had made sad work with the voices of the solo-singers, particularly that of Reeves, who did not venture even to attempt his principal air; yet, notwithstanding this drawback, we have scarcely ever seen an audience more deeply impressed with the greatness of a musical performance. There can be no doubt that henceforth Judas Maccabees will be one of Handers most popular oratorios.
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