Spohr's "Last Judgment."

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue XI, 9 December 1880, Page 2

Spohr's "Last Judgment."

Spohr's music is different from almost that of any composer, and appears to be the product of a pea devoted to the tevere principles of the great Palestrina school. It has not the modern character of Mendelssohn, with the charming melodies, and versatile accompaniments noticeable in such compositions as "Elijah," ."St. Paul," "Lauda Sion," and the " Lobegesang," (Hymn of Praise) nor the magnificently wrought combined harmony and melody of Beet* hoven, who, in his splendid Mass music, introduced a new style of music to the world. Spohr has taken no one for his model, neither the King of composers, Handel, who excels in the production of an immense volume of sound, nor Cherubiui, who may be considered the first in the art of counterpoint and fugue. There are rery few fugal choruses in J" The Lasi Judgment," the only noticeable ones being " Destroyed is Babylon," and "Hallelujah, Amen," in both of which strict attention has been paid by the composer to produce a com* plete fugal composition. Spohr's great idea is to work upon the senses by a succession of highly complicated modulations, and many of the chords in the "Last Judgment would appear discordant to an uneducated musical ear. But, however trying to an ear unused to uncommon transitions, the superbly mature dischords have an undoubted charm to those whose musical culture is more developed. The volume of harmony with which Handel, Haydn, Beethoven; and Mozart delight the auricular organs, is seldom observed in Spohr's music — except in the "Fall of Babylon" where more opportunity has been offered to the genius of this composer. The harmony in the "Last Judgment" is of a close nature, and not as extended as that of other composers, j The score teems with accidentals, and the correct rendering of these is the principal difficulty to be encountered. The choir 'of St. George's are to be congratulated on their pains* taking efforts to correctly interpret this oratorio, which, from the complicated nature of its harmonious dischords.renders it a trying work for all bat thoroughly educated musicians. The choruses last evening went well, and the only ones which could be taken exception to were the first chorus," Praise His Holy Name," which was taken too slowly, and the last' portion.of the chorus "Destroyed is Babylon," which was not accorded* sufficient care. The terrible nature of the words and music were to a certain extent overlooked, and the composer's intention of producing a tragic climax was unhappily frustrated by the inattention manifested by the choir as to the real meaning of the words. The solos were generally well carried out, although the recitatives were often open to strong

comment. The gem of the evening, to our 'thinking, was the duet between Mrs Kilgour and Mr Steward, " Forsake me not," which was admirably rendered. Mr Trewhella ably officiated at the instrument. .Altogether the concert was a success, and we hope, ere long, to again have the delight of hearing once more the St. George's Choir. There were several ladies and gentlemen who left the Church before the oratorio was concluded, but there is little doubt that they did so from being tired of listening to music whioh they were at a loss to comprehend.