The two rondos before us are from an opera very popular in Paris; indeed we are indebted to the theatre for all our most modern piano-forte music. The first air—if air it may be called, which, though it has rhythm, possesses little melody—is simple enough, being nearly all confined to the following notes:—
Mr. Kalkbrenner has of course very much extended it, by passages, one or two of which bring back good old harmony to our recollection, by others not inappropriate, and none difficult; but altogether this has not many pleasing qualities to recommend it.
No. 2 is an agreeable though not a very uncommon air. M. Adam has enlarged it in a familiar manner certainly, for while about his task, if a task it proved, he was not able to call up a single new thought. And let us caution him against such left-hand passages as
they are intolerable, and send one back to the horn-book of music. They are, it is true, to be met with now and then in some few of the old and excellent masters; but in reviving the works of these—which will soon be set about—all such twaddle must be carefully expunged.
- INTRODUCTION and RONDINO in the air, ‘Under the Walnut-tree,’ composed by T. A. RAWLINGS. (Chappell.)
- MILITARY DIVERTIMENTO, in which is introduced a favourite Spanish Air, composed by JAMES CALKIN. (Chappell.)