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    education does comparatively little for such themes as those of the Creation , the Deluge , Israel in Egypt , and the Last Judgment . We only speak of the Norwich selection $ almost all the master-pieces of the Art are of a similar character . Such

    works as these combine the highest of all the varied effects which music , elaborated by science ., and acted upon by , and re-acting upon poetry , is capable of producing . TVis intense pleasure descends lower , and spreads more broadly in society , than any other which the Art can realize . For the Art , therefore , there

    would be nothing to fear , but every thing to hope , from throwing open more widely the doors of our Festival Halls . c Ho , every one that thirsteth , let him come / Arid if we may not yet say , c he that hath no money , ' let it nevertheless be an object to make as little money as may be , suffice for admission . It is a favourable circumstance for our views , that most of the

    finest effects of the finest compositions , are choral . It is so even in Handel and Haydn , and much more in Sphor and Schneider , and this is , no doubt , the true mode of Oratorio composition . Now a prima donna has often cost more for the heartless and artificial warble , repeated every week all the year round , of a few bars of unintelligible difficulties , than would a whole legion of capital chorus singers . Materials for choral bands exist in all

    large towns as well as in Norwich ; and what the happy union of public spirit , with musical taste , in two or three individuals , has accomplished there , may with like facility be realized elsewhere , even in London itself . The attempt would tmswer every way , pecuniary , artistical , and philanthropic ; it would make money , cultivate taste , and refine the population . But the sowers should begin by being reapers , that they may be incited to sow . The first means is the cheapening of the best musical performances , without lowering their character , so as to render them more popular .

    The last Norwich Festival was at once the most economical and the most perfect set of performances which has yet been presented there , and , a fortiori , in the whole country . Even as it was , much of the expenditure had no necessary connexion with the best parts of the Festival . The morning oratorios must ,

    we suspect ^ have contributed handsomely towards the evening concerts . It is pity there is no Joint Stock Company to venture on the speculation of music good and cheap , without patronage . ' But the company should be select . * True ; we would have it more select than it is . The principle of selection should be the capacity , not of paying highly , but of highly enjoying .

    If professional musicians understood their interest and loved their Art , they might surely efFect such a change as we desire ; the temporary diminution of profits and increase of exertion would soon be compensated . We believe the best of them are well enough disposed ; only it is difficult for them to get upon the

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    758 Reflections on the Norwich Musical Festival .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Nov. 2, 1833, page 758, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2626/page/26/