Actor and baritone Eduard Devrient (1801–77) first met Felix Mendelssohn (1809–47) in 1822, and they remained close friends thereafter. During his lifetime, Mendelssohn achieved celebrity status as a composer, virtuoso pianist and conductor, and it was Devrient who secured in 1829 the famous performance in Berlin, under Mendelssohn's direction, of the St Matthew Passion, which began the Bach revival. First published in German in 1869, this work is reissued here in the English translation of the same year by Natalia Macfarren (1827–1913), singer and wife of the composer Sir George Macfarren. Her work as a translator included the first English versions of Wagner's Lohengrin and Verdi's Rigoletto. Although Devrient does not always exactly reproduce the correspondence, particularly where Mendelssohn is critical of others, the letters and commentary here serve to illuminate the development of a great composer.
JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. Musical Times Publications Ltd. is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular. All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions 206 THE MUSICAL TINIES. SEPTEMBER I, I873. slightest degree connected with music, and not one of the REVIEWS staff of professors is mentioned, we are of course not warranted in commenting upon the probable future of the Institution; but we may say that in the prospectus a hope NOVELLO, EWER AND CO. is expressed that it will eventually be transferred to the Die ZallberJqote (The Ma,,ic Flllte). An Opera, in Two responsible management of the State.Acts. Composed by W. A. Mozart. Edited by Berthold THE recent death of Herr Ferdinand David, the well-Tours and Translated into English by Natalia Macfarren kno0vn conductor of the GewczlSldAcllls Concerts, and the THOSE who wonder how Mozart could have written intimate friend of Mendelssohn, wil} be long deplored in some of hls finest music to such apparently childish non-Germany, for he was one of the sincerest artists of his sense as the libretto of this Opera will feel deeply time-As a violinist, he held the highest rank. and his 1nterested by Mrs. Macfarrenvs article upon the subject, power of imparting instruction to others has been full whlch prefaces this edition. From a pamphlet published proved by the number of eminent players who Rvere hiys ln Leipslc, in I865, it appears that the story is confidently pupils He had retired but a short time from the conduc-presumed to be an allegory, and is intended "as an torship of the Geze andAcBlcs Coslcerts, and was stayin in apotheosis of Freemasonry against the political and eccle Ssvitzerland at the time of his death. At his funetral slastlcal 1nfluences that persecuted that fraternity at the hich took place at Leipsic, a military band headed the tlme the Opera appeared." This view is confirmed Ey procession, and an immense number of spectators, includ-Goethe, who not only speaks of the " higher meaning ' of in the representativeS of several musical Societies were "Zauberflote,"but wrote a second parttothe story which present. ' ls unmistakably allegorical. As a students' edition of this fine work, the volume before us will be found most THE Promenade Concerts at Covent Garden Theatre, valuable-for not only is it in every respect carefully under the direction of M. Riviere, commenced on the I6th brought out-the marks of expression, indications of instruult., with every prospect of brilliant success. An ex-mentation, and stage directions being reverently followed cellent band has been engaged, and the vocalists announced _but the German words are prominently displayed under include the names of Ma...
All use subject to JSTOR Terms and Conditions cheap octavo edition, Choral Societies will eagerly procure herd's Farewell," has a smooth and appropriate melody it and juslge for themselves. a beautiful point being gained in the second verse by the I)er Fleischutz (The ldreeshooter); Romantic Opera, in Soprailos, 'renors and Basses singing the words "She three acts. Composed by Carl Maria von Weber. Edited sleeps, perchance fihe dreams of me " staccuto, whilst the and in greater part translated into English, by Natalia Altos sustain a note to the end of the phrase. No. 3 is a Maefarren. really religious cs Ave Maria," simple in the extreme but IN preparing a carefully edited version of thig work for exquisitely voiced, and full of effect. No. £, " Spring," the English public, it became necessary for Mrs. Maefarren flows in 8 rhythm, v.ith a true feeling for the words. We boldly to state her reason for very materially differing especiall? like the last three bars, where the Sopranos from the translation which time, rather than artistic ta6te, mount to the high A5, holding it whilst the other parts has sanctioned in this country. An Opera so thoroughly move in smooth quavers. In No. 6, ' lIymn to Cynthia," German both in the story and musiC a, Der Freischtt5: 2 the composer has completely caught the spirit of Ben cannot be baldlv rendered into English rhyme by one who Jonson's quaint poetry, and the result is a capital partdoes not deeply sympathise with the earnest manner in song, which will however require careful and intelligent which the colnposer has set the original words-and we singing to give it due effect. No, 7, " (:radle Song," is a are glad to find therefore, in a note to the present edition perfect gem: the Basses, divided, sustain the keynote that no portion of the accepted version has been retained and fifth, the Altos enter on the third bar, singing the (save inthefiretlines of someof thebestknownpieces) word "lullaby" twice in the same measure, whilst the whenever it interfered with the due expression of the Tem)rs,and,afterwards theS(lpranosRhavealegatomelody rnusic. As one instance of the improverrlent eSected in of extreme beauty. These effects are occasionall varied this new translation, we may mention the Scena generally and after some transient modulations, the return to thel known as ; Softly sighs." It is impossible to imagine original subject is managed with consummate skill. It words more tl)oroughly appropriate to the opening phrase would be irupossible to speak too highly in praise of this of the beautitul prayer than those which Mrs. Matfarren song; from first to last, it is the work of a refined artist. ha3 written, ; Softly sighing-day is dying,s' or any more No. 9, " Dream, baby, dream," is another very e2scellent opposed to the rhythmical expression of the melody than compo6ition, full of s-mpathetic feeling and highly effecthe familiar ones, ;; Softly sighs the voice of evening." tive. No. 13, '6 Sweet Vesper Hynln," has a melodious Again in the duet, No. 6, usually known ag Come b...
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