CONGREGATIONAL PSALMODY.

Evening Star, Issue 3177, 26 April 1873, Page 2

CONGREGATIONAL PSALMODY.

To the Editor.

Sir, — Please permit me to reply as concisely as possible to “ A Lover of Psalmody.” How he can make out that “ Redemption” is anything but a simple piece of music, is really mysterious. The tune, he says, is not “ a simple one” because it is “ more of the nature of au anthem”; are all anthems, then, difficult? What then of “How beautiful upon the mountains,” an anthem which might be sung by a child, and others ? Will he explain now a congregation is to be “well-trained in a tune ” before the tune is used iu the church by the choir ? It is my impression that a choir should be confident of their ability to carry it through before they introduce it, and that a precentpr should know thpit he himself is sufficiently acquainted with it to at least start it and. sustain the treble. If it is the case that choral societies have members who do not read their notes, and if those voices which take a leading part in the development of a taste for high-class music—which is the object of the Dunedin'Choral Society—only learn their parts by ear, our musical standard must be in a most shameful condition indeed, and we stand much in need of a thorough course of elementary training in that most delightful of the fine arts, which I fear few of our performers have had. As to the tune “ Arnold’s,” against which vc have run, I must be allowed to give q reason for holding my position. My reasons are these : First : Ihe tune is iu trinary measure, which measure is characterised by one of the best living writers on music as “adapted to a soft and soothing musical effect.” Second : Exactly one-half of the notes composing the tunc are of such a mental effect as to produce a calm sentiment; in fact they are the most plaintive notes or tones in the scale—being the third, fourth, and sixth—the sixth and fourth predominating. Now, it is an indubitable fact that these tones, when sounded in relation to their key-tone, produce a sorrowful and a desolate effect respectively, and the third a calm, staid effect, and the effect is increased when that tone happens to be the accented tone, which in this case is seven out of fourteen. I would advise your correspondent to he able to state his own opinion of the nature of a tuuc, and net “ pin his faith ” to the compiler of the “ Scottish Psalmody, ’ either as to words or tunes ; wo waut to know the reason why—not what so-and-so dogmatically asserts. The expression “ boisterous, coming from the old English hoUtous, does mean violent with an idea of confusion and impetuosity, the fir»t meaning being stormy or furious. Hence I say a tune qannot bo sung boisterously and in good time. But m connection with the 23rd Psalm he misquotes me. My words were— It appears that some men think, that whenever the

word death, Ac.,” “the thought must of necessity be solemn,” of course meaning more solemn than usual. If the words m the 23rd Psalm are to be sung in a subdued manner, why are the words in the 5 Oth paraphrase. 4th verse, to he sung triumphantly in “ Scot tish Psalmody ?” In the three first versos of the 23rd Psalm, the writer is soliloqu'sing on the past goodness of God, and by the fulness of the confidence inspired by the reminiscence, he rises in tone, and expresses, with animation, how he will rely on the same power for future need, which has brought him so far. It is an animated expression of confidence and the rules of elocution bear me out in maintaining the opinion, that it is the noblest and boldest in the Psalm, not excepting the last. As to the suggestion regarding the several choirs uniting—the practical part I feel must lie with those who possess some influence in the respective choirs; I, myself, possess none. I would suggest that some one of the precentors or choir masters should call a meeting of others occupying similar positions, they to take the matter into consideration, and submit their plan to their several choirs. If Mr Stewart, of the hirst Church, or Mr Francis, of Knox Church, would take the lead, I think none would refuse to join them. As winter nights are approaching, it is now a fitting time to inaugurate such a movement. —I am, Ac., A Lover of Harmony. Dunedin, April 25. CRICKET. To the Editor, S lß> _Thc Corporation havingdecidcd upon giving the Cricket Clubs using the South Recreation Ground some protection from the ravages of the pedestrians, they, I see, a r e moving in the matter of the improvement of the playing ground. Although the object is very good, and when carried out will have a tendency to improve our play, still, bearing in mind the improvement of the ground last year by the prisoners, and the effect it had on the Interprovincial match last played here, I think they are about to rush into the same error again. If the improvement were commenced at once, there would then be a chance of tiding over what I fear will happen, but if the committee wait until they have sufficient money (or proniises) to commence operfttiona, then the very same error as of last year will be committed. However smait they may be, if they wait too long there will be no practice on the match ground —if I may call it so—for those who are chosen, and the Canterbury men, when they come (as assuredly they will, as early iu January as the conditions allow them), will go into practice on the ground which our chosen men have never played over ; and the effect of this was so apparent in the match I referred to, that it should be a w am ■ ing to those who will have the undertaking of this matter. 1 miss Mr Turtou’s name from the committee, and wonder whether he has thought of it, as, in a great measure, he attributed that year’s defeat to this reason (“and bad fielding”). I dr. not for a moment doubt the capability of the committee to undertake and carry out this work; but they may be delayed by pecuniary matters. 3 bis, I think, might be avoided by some of our leading enthusiastic patrons guaranteeing the requisite amount, so that the work could be proceeded with immediately. There is no doubt but the money can be raised for the purpose; but the manner is too tedious and slow. In Melbourne and other places I might mention there are cricketers who have, done more than this, and considered themselves paid, with good interest, when they have witnessed the improved play of the clubs through their instrumentality. I need only mention Mr Hunting's n*.tne, and what ho has made the East Melbourne Club in tins way. S > come forward, ye monied cricketers, and let ns bare our ground.—l am, Ac., Stumps. Dunedin, April 25.