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170 National Music of the World.
Goldschmidt; no tenor that could stand a moment's competition with the Italians; only one bass—I mean Staudigl.
There is a phrase of late current—'nature singing,' implying an insensibility, an inconsistency, or an ignorance; the negative weakness of which must sap the foundations of a lovely branch of art. There is a golden mean between soulless vocal display and the utter abnegation of accomplishment; but the national, northern-bred fancy for what is vague, mysterious, and suggestive, has too often invested those who affect the latter with some sublimity. They wear an aureole glory of mystical inspiration round their brow, which sets them apart from the common frivolous folk whose art gives a more artless pleasure.
I think some of the first distinct stirrings of German individuality may be referred to Luther's Psalm-Eook. That genial man represented the legend of Orpheus, in his own bold Christian fashion, and besides assaulting the Evil One with his inkstand, defied, instead of paralysing him, by songs. Rut though 'psalm-singing' was on high authority appointed to be the pastime of the merry, sense, as well as spirit, will and should have its part in every |
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