[i4as yp - 
[Dec 4, 
NEW MUSIC AND THE DRAMA, 
—_—— 
Phe Art of Singing exemplified by a ‘The Campbell’s are comin,” «@ cele- 
new Method of Practice, with a Series 
of Passages and Solfeqggios, from the 
most eminent Masters; by EF. L. 
Hummell. 7s. 
HIS vocal and didactic publica- 
EL tion, besides some of the best 
rules for singing that we have met with 
for a considerable time, contains a 
course of graduated intervals for the 
aid of those who are ambitious of the 
ability to sing at sight. With respect 
to the principal purpose of the work, 
though we do not wholly agree with 
Mr. Hummell in his remarks on the 
nature of the human voice, nor always 
comprehend him, as when he tells us, 
almost in the same breath, that every 
voice is acquired, and that it does not fall 
to the lot of every one to have a voice natu- 
rally ; since, if every voice is acquired, 
no one can have a voice naturally, still 
we find in his method so much of the 
lucidus ordo, and in his matter so many 
luminous observations, useful direc- 
tions, and hints that an attentive prac- 
titioner will not fail to notice, and 
profit by, that we feel in them strong 
claims upon our commendation. The 
exercises are uniformly progressive, 
and are carried, seriatim, through all 
the different keys, major and minor. 
As a guide to their proper practice, a 
prefatory page is devoted to the stating 
such rules as are necessary, both to the 
avoidance of bad habits, and the 
ensuring those that are proper. Among 
-these, that which relates to the obtain- 
ing a good crescendo and diminuendo, 
that explanatory of the method of 
acquiring ‘a good shake, and that laid 
down for giving strength and flexibi- 
lity to the voice, are truly excellent, 
‘and cannot be attended to without 
benefit. The precepts for sight-singing 
‘are plain and simple. All the various 
intervals, from that of the second, to 
that of the eiehih, are given in their 
ascending and descending directions ; 
‘and even the chromatic distances are 
not omitted, though, in our opinion, in- 
troduced somewhat too early in the 
work, Withoat, therefore, meaning 
‘to say, that Mr, Hummell’s book is the 
‘very best extant on the subject, we 
venture nothing ia pronouncing it a 
highly useful work of the kind, and 
recommending it to the attention of 
vocal practitioners. 
brated Scotch Air, arranged as «@ 
Rondo, with an Introduetion, for the 
Piano-Forte: by J. W. Holder, Mus. 
Bae. Oxon. 3s. 
This is a production with which, it 
is evident, considerable pains have 
been taken; and it is no trivial praise 
to the cémposer’s genius; that they 
have not been taken in vain. ‘Taste 
and spirit are the prevailing characte- 
ristics of Mr. Holder’s style, and are 
by no means Jess conspicuous in the 
present picce than in his other compo- 
sitions. In his returns from the digres- 
sive portions of his matter, we think 
him peculiarly successful, a particular 
which evinces: no small degree of 
management: we may add to this¢com- 
mendation, that the passages are 
easily and gracefully turned ; and that 
the prevailing effect; throughout, is 
highly pleasant and attractive. — 
The Disappointed Maid, a Ballad, 
written by Mr. James Stewart. The 
Musie composed by Ma. J. fl. 
Little. 2s. 
This ballad, which was. sung last 
season at Vauxhall Gardens by Miss 
‘Tunstall, consists of three: verses, in 
neither of which do we find any thing 
that deserves the name of poetry, any 
more than we discover in the: music a 
single symptom of originalimagination, 
or of genuine ‘science. The Disap- 
pointed Maid will have ample revenge 
for her mortification; for she will; im 
turn, disappoint all who expect»to be 
dclighted by her strains. 
The Chough and Crow, composed: by 
Henry Bishop, esq. Arranged for 
two Performers on one Piano-Forte, 
with an Accompaniment for the Harp ; 
by D. Bruguier: 4s. 
This publication, though but indif- 
ferent in its subject, (for we think 
little of the air on which it is founded) 
is far from beimg destitute of merit, or 
the power to please. As a duett, its 
construction is ingenious and -scien- 
tific ; and, as a practice, it is well eal- 
culated to: produce improvement in the 
provinee of execution. The arrange- 
ment of the harp accompaniment an- 
nounces much care and contrivance. 
Its incorporation is ‘easy, close, and 
natural; and the united ‘result quite 
equal to the best that could be ex- 
pected from any superstructure reared 
on 
