CHORAL MUSIC.
Mr. Ilullah has commenced a new series of choral concerts at Exeter Hall. On Thursday evening be produced Mendelssohn's Sacred Cantata, "Lauda Sion"; and repeated the Alexander's Feast of Handel. Mendelssohn's cantata, independently of its intrinsic excellence, derives much interest from being his last work—at least his last finished work—of any magnitude. It was composed in 1846, for a religious solemnity at Liege; and the score was afterwards given by the composer to Mr. Hullah, for performance in this country,—another proof of Mendelssohn's predilection for England. The only published edition is that which has just appeared in London with English words (in addition to the original Latin) by Mr. Bartholomew, with the composer's sanction. The work is a hymn of praise; an unbroken stream of religious harmony, remarkable for simplicity, grandeur, and unity of design, all tending to heighten and enforce the prevailing sentiment, re- verent yet cheerful devotion. Dealing in open, flowing melodies, and broad masses of harmony, adhering chiefly to the intervals of the diatonic scale, with a sparing but effective use of chromatic notes and enharmonic changes, the author has produced a work of comparatively easy execution, and has shown (what modern composers are apt to forget) that originality as well as greatness of effect are quite compatible with simplicity. The execution of the piece did great honour to Mr. Bullet' and his performers. The solo parts were exceedingly well sung by the Misses Birch, Mr. jockey, and Mr. Whitworth; and the choruses were given with precision, delicacy, and power.
Alexander's Feast, which Mr. Hullah produced last season, lost none of is beauties on repetition.
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