Church of St. Francis Xavier Sunday Service

Event Information

Venue(s):
Church of St. Francis Xavier

Event Type:
Choral

Record Information

Status:
Published

Last Updated:
18 September 2022

Performance Date(s) and Time(s)

12 Jun 1870, Morning

Performers and/or Works Performed

2)
Composer(s): Nicou-Choron

Citations

1)
Review: New York Herald, 13 June 1870, 3.

“This composer was formerly Inspector of the Royal Conservatory of Classic and Religious Music, and has been dead some years. His style is strictly classical, in the Palestrina school, occasionally colored by Schumann ideas. The Kyrie opens with a genuine Haydenish [sic] subject, admirably treated and counterpointed in a massive, impressive style, which carries one back to the primitive Italian school, when Scarlatti and Palestrina wrote their imperishable works. In fact, the great feature of the mass is its contrapuntal beauty, and in this respect it is exceedingly interesting to call musicians. The Gloria opens with a tutti duet for tenors and bassos, followed by the sopranos and altos in a simple little phrase, to which the admirable organ chords give a piquant effect. The opening subjects are not brilliant, in the modern acceptation of the word, but express more of a deep religious joy. Some of the quartets remind one very much of Schumann. The concluding fugue, as well as the opening of the Credo, are excellent specimens of the Palestrina school. The Et Incarnatus, Crucifixus and Et Resurrexit are expressive and dramatic in contrapuntal effects. The Sanctus is severe and massive in character, and the Agnus Dei, which commences with a bass solo, is a charming number. The solos were rendered in the most unexceptionable manner by Miss Teresa Wernecke (soprano), Miss Mary Wernecke (one of the best contraltos in any church in this city), and Signori Tamaro and Bacelli, tenore and basso.”