On No. 12 we really can bestow no praise, however qualified; the words and music are nearly on a par with the lithographed vignette, but of the three, the music is least obnoxious to criticism.
HARP.
- Air de Ballet, as a BRILLIANT RONDO, the subject from MEYERBEER’s Robert le Diable, arranged by THEODORE LABARRE. No. 2. (Chappell.)
- Ditto No. 3.
- Ditto No. 4.
THE first of the above is the Pas de Cinq, the second the Valse des Démons, and the third the Chœur Dansé, from the opera now performing in all parts of Europe, though certainly with variable success. But the pieces selected by M. Labarre are universally admired, whatever may be, according to different tastes, thought of the work in its entire state. These are all arranged with a view to general use; all unnecessary difficulty, therefore, is avoided, but not at the expense of the author’s intended effects, which are as carefully preserved as the means afforded by a single instrument render possible.
HARP AND PIANO-FORTE.
SIX WALTZES, composed by HUMMEL, arranged by N. C. BOCHSA. (Chappell.)
THESE are the well-known waltzes, Op. 91, written by Hummel for the piano-forte only, and now converted, with considerable address, into very effective, yet perfectly easy duets for the two drawing-room instruments.
MADRIGAL SOCIETY.
THE anniversary of this society, on Thursday the 21st of February, proved, past all doubt, that the taste for the species of music cultivated by its members is anything but on the decline. A more brilliant meeting has not for many years been known, as the subjoined list of music performed, of members present, and of visitors, will amply testify; and it was by all agreed, that the various compositions were never heard to greater advantage.