Marchesi's Sixteen Vocalises. (Enoch and Sons.)—These exercises are a supplement
to Madame Marchesi's vocal method. Although called "vocalises," they are in reality charming songs, duets, and trios, with Italian words. They contain more melody and artistic impulse than most of the ordinary songs published. The composer's knowledge of the voice enables her to make every phrase effective. We have not spoken of this book from its educational point of view, because that was unnecessary for a work from the pen of so distinguished a teacher. Amateurs who wish, while singing suave melodies, to improve their style of singing should get this book. Those who study these "vocalises as exercises will, we think, continue singing them as songs. The berceuse, " Mona Nanna," is charming and graceful, while the duet, " La Gioia," is full of brilliancy and spirit. The style of these pieces is essentially Italian, the melody is flowing, and the htrmony and rhythmic structure simple and direct. But the simplicity does not descend into commonplace, and good taste is evident throughout.
The following are among the songs issued by Messrs. Enoch and Sons :— Signor Paolo Tosti's The Silver Lining and If, neither of which attain any great degree of originality, but are nevertheless graceful and flowing. We do not see the advantage of putting flats and sharps in brackets before a note because it has been con- tradicted in the previous bar; the result is only to confuse where all was plain.—The Crown of Roses and Mine, by Mr. Landon Ronald, especially the last, contain an amazing amount of chro- matic harmony. The weakness of the harmony of Mine consists in the constant return to the original key, which produces the feeling one has when trying to get into the centre of a maze, the result being always to find oneself back at the starting-point. —Far more interesting and artistic in every way is Mdlle. Chaminade's 'Twas in a Land. Instead of vague meandering, one rhythmical figure is consistently developed, giving unity to the whole. To be effective, the words must be carefully enunciated ; but the song is a charming one and worth taking the trouble to sing well.—Rose of the Desert, by F. Bevan, is melodious and well written ; the alternating major and minor portions are well contrasted and a sense of climax produced by the triplets in the accompaniment at the end of the verse.
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