MUSIC.
Tared German Songs, by Felix Meuklssohn Bartholdy. With an English Version, by Leopold Wray, Esq.
THESE songs though among the lamented author's earlier compositions, have only been made known in this country by their present publica- tion with an English version in addition to the German words. Our amateurs will find them a great addition to their stock of vocal music; for they are worthy of the name of Mendelssohn, and full of his genius. The first, "Hear we not the loveliest voices," is a " Mayenlied " or May-song; the words of which, expressive of feelings inspired by the freshness of spring, are united to a very simple but lovely melody, remarkable for the graceful prolongation of its closing period. The second is of a totally dif- ferent character-one of those fantasies in which the German imagination levee to revel. It too is a May-song-but of a witch, careering, on May- morning, through the air to join the orgies of the Brocken. The melody is wild, gloomy, full of strange transitions, and heightened by a picturesque instrumental accompaniment. We have no great love for German musical diablerie; but certainly this song (which demands a singer and an accom- panist of great powers) might be made exceedingly effective. The third, "Our daily toil is over now," the " Abendliecl" or evening song of a rural labourer, is a little melody of thirteen bars, repeated to two stanzas of poetry. It is tranquil, somewhat religious, and very beautiful, reminding us of the little German Lieder of Mozart.
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