MUSIC.
Mass in D. By JOHN LODGE ELLERTON, Esq.
M. LODGE (who has lately taken the additional name of ELLERTON) has long been distinguished as an amateur of extraordinary talents and attainments. The Mass before us is a work of a more ambitious chto meter than any of his previous productions with which we are ac- quainted. It is a composition of great ability, and everywhere bears marks of the accomplished artist ; but belongs to a school of ecclesias- tical music which we cannot consider a good one, notwithstanding the illustrious names belonging to it. The author has taken as his models the Masses of HAYDN and MOZART; which, however masterly and beautiful, have little of the grave solemnity and massive grandeur that characterize the sacred strains of the old masters, not only of Italy and Germany, but of our own country. In the masses of the great modern composers we have mentioned, there are profoundly elaborated choral fugues, and slow movements of exquisite beauty; but the prevailing style of the music is florid, theatrical, occasionally gay, and often boisterously familiar. Now, all this is just what may be said of Mr. Era,nieron's Mass. It contains beautiful air, excellent harmony, and learned counterpoint. Two of the choral movements in particular, the " Cum Spiritu Sancto " and " Pleni sunt cceli," are well-worked and effective fugues; and the whole Mass is perfectly fitted for performance in those Roman Catholic places of worship to which people flock, as to a theatre or concert-room, to be entertained with fine music.
Previous page
