Fantasia, in E Flat, for the Organ
August Moosmair · The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular · 1875
I9 I9 I9 I9 I9 I9point, and the two styles excellently relieve each other.Then, all the string instruments with the bass voices have a long extended passage of quavers supportinv the minims of the other four voices, the effect of which is tumultuous beyond description.Now that there is an edition within the scope of everybody's purchase, with a thoroughly practicable and hiahlyeffective arrangement of this truly grand vork, let us hope that it may not remain a thing of name only, but come into Church use on many a festive occasion, to dilate the hearts of the hearers and to add honour even to the name of Handel. The Lorcl zuill comfortZiOtl.An Anthem for four voices composed by Henry Hiles, Mus.Doc., Oxon.THE first movement, set to Isaiahli.8,is a chorus.It is melodious in all the.parts, and charmingly harmonised.Then there is a Quartett, of which the words are taken from Revelation xxi.4, that is sufficiently self-complete to bear separation from the rest, and sufficiently interestina to make this sometimes desirable.The use of the low C for the first treble voice is injudicious, for the note has mostly a roufflh tone, and to produce it unfits the sin ger for the employment of the upper notes which mostly prevail.For the concluding chorus the text reverts to Isaiah lii.-3, 8.The latter verse is given to the adult voices in unison, and the earlier words follow it, set as a very free fuaue, in which the showy effects of modern harmony more abound than contrapuntal elaboration.The work has great merit and will add largely to Dr. Hiles's deserved and gronving reputation.Swift fAe sAlfxdes of zgve aYs Jdlli,tg.Part-son.The Eaglu.Part-song.TAte Vikiszgs alid t1ss Northzui?zd.Part-song.Composed by Berthold Tours.THESE three part-songs, forming Nos. 8, IO and I2 of the " Collegiate Series," are amongst the very best specimens of this class of composition which have yet come before us; and, considering the enormous number constantly forwarded for review, this may be accepted as awarm tribute to their worth.So many smoothly harmonised melodies are supposed, both by composers and audience, to be genuine Part-songs in the present day, that we are grateful to a musician like Mr. Tours for reminding us of the distinct character these pieces should possess; and sincerely hope that during the approaching season the merits of his three new compositions may be revealed to the public by the excellent choir under the direction of Mr. Leslie.