The Harmonicon. Part the First :: ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC.

THE pupils of this institution had their first public concert for the season at the Hanover Square Rooms, on Saturday morning, March 30th, when the following pieces were performed by them exclusively:—

PART I.

Symphony, in D No. 4	MOZART.
Introduction to ZauberflÖte, ‘Oh Stelle!’	MOZART.
Recit. ‘For behold;’ Song, ‘The People that walked in Darkness,’ Mr. Stretton. (Messiah)	HANDEL.
Concerto, Grand Piano-Forte, First Movement only, Master Johnson, [Pupil of Mr. J. B. Cramer]	HUMMEL.
Madrigal, ‘Sweet honey-sucking Bee.’	WILBYE.
Song, ‘If guiltless Blood,’ Miss Turner. (Susanna)	HANDEL.
Motet, ‘O Lord who dwellest;’ composed for, and performed at, St. George’s Chapel, Windsor	LUCAS.

PART II.

Concerto (MS.) Grand Piano-Forte, composed and played by Master Bennett, Pupil of Mr. Potter	BENNETT.
‘Qui tollis,’ from Mass No. 2, Solo, Mr. G. Le Jeune	HAYDN.
Aria, ‘Ah qual giorno,’ Miss Birch. (Semiramide)	ROSSINI.
Quartet Concertante, for four Violins	MAURER.
Duo, ‘Ebben per mia Memoria’ (Gazza Ladra)	ROSSINI.
‘Sanctus and Benedictus,’ Mass No. 2	HUMMEL.
Leaders—Part I. Mr. Seymour—Part II. Mr. Patey.

The movement from Hummel’s concerto was very neatly played by Master Johnson; but the most complete and gratifying performance was that of young Bennett, whose composition would have conferred honour on any established master, and his execution of it was really surprising, not merely for its correctness and brilliancy, but for the feeling he manifested, which, if he proceed as he has begun, must, in a few years, place him very high in his profession.

We were glad to meet with a Madrigal, and one of the finest extant, in this concert: hitherto the pupils have been allowed to indulge too much in fashionable music, half of which, moderately estimated, is downright trash, while they have been kept too ignorant of the really great masters.

Whoever is teacher of Handel’s vocal music in this academy, should himself get some further instruction. He is quite at fault in his notion of the true style, if we may draw any inference from the manner in which the pupils generally perform it.

The Motet possesses a good deal of merit, but has been much over-rated. The Quartet Concertante was exceedingly well played: we wish it were possible truly to say that ‘Oh Stelle!’ was as well sung.

The room was very fully attended.

SOCIETA ARMONICA.

THE illness of a gentleman on whom we relied for some account of these concerts, has prevented our bestowing that attention on them which, we learn from many quarters, they have merited. We have heard of the performance of Beethoven’s Mass in C, which had never before been given in this country with full orchestral accompaniments, and applaud the spirit that prompted its introduction. Though according to all accounts it might have been executed in a better manner, the attempt is praiseworthy, and perseverance leads to perfection. The subscription, it must be considered, is low, and does not afford the managers the means of obtaining all the assistance which otherwise they would, we are disposed to believe, be willing to procure.

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