COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT TO GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE OF TENNESSEE BY FISK UNIVERSITY.
The Mozart Society, under the direction of Prof. Spence, has just given its concert complimentary to His Excellency the Governor, and the Legislature of Tennessee. The Governor was unable to attend on account of sickness in his family, but sent a letter to Prof. Spence expressing his regret. This is the third time that a complimentary concert has been given to the Legislature, at its different sessions, but this one was probably the most successful in every sense.
The whole chapel was reserved for our guests; no tickets being sold, and the students not attending, that there might be room for the entire body. A few leading citizens, both white and colored, were invited, and the Faculty and teachers of the University were also present. The night was warm and pleasant, and students appointed for the purpose met our distinguished guests at the street car, a quarter of a mile distant, escorting them up through the unlighted street.
The Hall, however, was brilliantly lighted, and when the concert began was well filled, still others coming in later in the evening.
The Mozart Society, consisting of fifty members, with piano, organ, violins, flute and cornet, occupied the raised platform in front.
The Society includes all grades of students, but more especially are they from the advanced classes, as the very difficult music which they render requires all the mental power of which they are capable. Prof. Spence is the soul and life of the Society, and gives himself to it with an energy and enthusiasm that is an inspiration to all the members. They have studied music from the great composers for several years, and during the present school year have devoted themselves especially to the Oratorio of Elijah.
The first half of the concert consisted of selections from this Oratorio.
All who are acquainted with the music know that it is simply sublime and that it must be a most unappreciative soul that can listen to it without being deeply moved.
The opening chorus, “Help, Lord! Wilt Thou quite destroy us?” was so full of pathos and of pleading that it seemed to subdue and quiet the whole audience. Indeed, the silence that prevailed throughout the entire rendering testified to the interest felt. When they sang, “Lord! bow thine ear to our prayer!” the breathless stillness in the house made us feel that much of real prayer was there, and we wondered if hearts that had never before felt God’s presence might not be touched by His spirit. Then came the wild cry of the priests of Baal, loud and long and despairing, with the mocking of Elijah, who says, “Call him louder, for he is a God.” A few times the audience broke into applause, but generally expressed themselves by quiet attention.
Probably the style of music was new to many of them, and it was interesting to watch the faces of different ones as they listened. Some were at first perhaps disappointed, evidently not expecting that kind of music, but a growing and deepening interest marked their faces as they sat watching as well as listening.
When Elijah pleaded for rain, and the people cried, “Help, send thy servant help, O God!” “Hear from heaven, and forgive their sin,” the listening attitude of the audience seemed to express sympathy with the sad refrain, and when, at last, the grand chorus, “Thanks be to God,” burst forth, it was almost overwhelming. What a lifting up of voices it was! it with a piercing sweetness that rent the air and bowed all hearts before it.
The second part of the concert consisted of Jubilee songs, college songs, and patriotic songs, more popular music, but to some of us it was a letting down from the heights to which we had been lifted. It was received, however, with demonstrations of delight, which could not have been expressed for the first part, if it had been felt. Almost everything was encored. The college songs were full of rollicking fun, and the Jubilee music brought rounds of applause again and again.
When “Good news, the chariot’s coming,” and “Silver Slippers” were sung, the dignified legislators got to beating time with their feet in real camp-meeting style.
“Way down upon the Suwanee River” was sung with a softness and sweetness that reminded one of Jenny Jackson in the old Jubilee days. It was listened to with breathless attention and followed by prolonged applause.
The concert closed with “America,” beautiful and grand, as it always is. The whole audience rose to their feet and joined with a heartiness which showed that the “old time” has indeed “gone,” and “new times” for the South, white and black, are already here.
H. M.