Samson

Article on the first rehearsal of the Cecilian Choir. “The first appearance of the Cecilian Choir will be at Steinway Hall early in December, in the oratorio of Samson. The son of Manoah will not then find himself wholly in the hands of Philistines, as he was when he last appeared in New York. Dr. Cutler rehearses his boys every day and has the feeling of an artist when engaged at such a work.”

The organist Dr. Cutler will perform the oratorio “Samson” by Händel, with the participation of a chorus including boy’s voices. Rehearsals have already begun.

“The second performance of ‘Samson’ by the ‘Cecilian Choir’ took place here last night, when, notwithstanding the abominable weather and the election, there was a good and attentive audience. Handel’s superb work has never been heard to such advantage. The Choir was in full force, and sang perfectly in time and tune. Such unanimity in these respects we do not remember to have noticed in any other body of local singers. The choruses are exceedingly difficult, requiring a rare combination of precision and power. More than this, the Cecilians brought quality of tone to the task. We have never heard a clearer or more silvery volume of sound. It was a rare and unqualified treat. The background to the Choir—or rather, the male part of it—namely, the tenors and basses, is effective in color and strength. We trust sincerely that this fine combination may flourish. It has been brought into existence after much labor, and must be nursed carefully by the public. Of the first general performance of ‘Samson’ at Dr. Beecher’s church we have already spoken. We need only say that Mr. Simpson sustains the leading role with good breadth of style and unusual accuracy of phrasing. His voice is somewhat light for the music, but it is soft and ductile and melodious—qualities which most people prefer to mere robustiousness. Mr. J. R. Thomas interpreted his part like the artist he is. There are few singers in America who understand oratorio music more thoroughly. Mr. Trost’s bass voice is somewhat cumbrous, and he does not pronounce the words with distinctness, but he is in other respects painstaking and acceptable. The boy soloists were Master T. J. Toedt, Master Cullen P. Grandin and Master E. R. Knowles. They are all excellent. The performance gave general satisfaction.”

“Handel’s great work was given for the third time at Steinway Hall, on Tuesday evening, by Dr. Cutler’s excellent corps of boys and men. There was a marked improvement in the recitatives and arias, which were sung by Messrs. Simpson, J. R. Thomas and Frost and Masters Toedt and Grandin. The choruses were up to the standard of the first and second nights, which is saying much for them. The superiority of boys’ voices in those choruses over mixed voices will strike any person at once on listening to the Cecilian choir. Perfect ensemble and equality of tone, with that peculiar swing of all the [illeg.], as if some mighty chord was struck on some colossal instrument, an exactness of time only to be acquired under such a painstaking choir master as Dr. Cutler and under such an admirable conductor as Mr. George W. Morgan – [sic] the characteristics of the Cecilian choir.”

“The second performance of ‘Samson’ was given by this choir Tuesday evening before an audience of modest size. We have already noticed the production of this oratorio, and need only say now, in addition, that Tuesday’s performance was a marked improvement on that of the previous week. The soloists all seemed in good voice, and sang their respective parts very acceptably. Master Toedt, who last week suffered so much from a cold that he could with difficulty get through his part, last evening was in fine voice, and sang with great feeling and effect the beautiful airs belonging to Delilah. We admired exceedingly the clearness and delicacy of his phrasing—giving the shades of tone with an exactness and skill which might well be expected from an older singer, but which, from one so young, was really wonderful. The choruses were given with the same superb precision and power that we noticed last week.”