18 



rious passions excited or assuaged. This power is called that 

 of expression; when it is in no degree exerted, the strains 

 produced cannot properly be called music, but rather a jum- 

 ble of" sounds. 



41. The fuagjianimous emotions and sentiments must, to be 

 supremely pleasing, be expressed with digniiy,* the sublime 

 with majesty, the gentle and milder with dignity, grace-j- 

 and elegance,:|: even when worked up to frenzy. The degree 

 with which this power is exerted, constitutes the superior ex- 

 cellence of the composition, and proves the superior genius 

 of the composer. 



42. As many passions, emotions and sentiments are nearly 

 allied with each other; for instance, the ninjestic with the 

 martial ;^ the tender with the plaintive ;^ the mind would be 

 apt to confound and mistake the strains expressive of the 

 one for those of the other, unless it were guided to the dis- 

 crimination of each, by words declaring their specific appli- 

 cation, and the circumstances that give birth and growth to 

 each sentiment; hence the propriety of the union of poetry 

 and music. Melodies thus introduced are capable of inspir- 



* By dignity I undcr^nan-l a motic of expression becoming persons of rank and eiluca- 

 Urn, or beings of a superior nature, and opposiie to vulgar, mean and groveling. 



I By grace I understand a smooth, gentle, melodious, soothing arrangement of sounds, 

 ai;d opposite to tht uncoiUli, harsh and whining. 



J E/egimci- denotes stkction, in opposition to trite, common place passages. Sec il 

 Caro ben perdei, 



§ As son Regina Is son .-imante, and non ti tivto in catiipo Armato. 



^ (Jara suro ftdek, ffv. and si lulti i jMuU nuei, ffc. 



\ 



