[ 52 ] 
[Aug }, 
NEW MUSIC AND THE DRAMA. 
—a ‘ 
A Second Grand Military Divertimento, for 
the Piano-forte; composed by A. V. 
Forster. | 38..6d. “ 
HIS divertimento comprises , an 
introductory moyement in triple 
time of three crotchets, a march, an 
andunte in common time of two 
crotehets, an andante in triple time of 
three crotchets, and an allegretto in 
compound common time of six qua- 
vers. In the first of these we do not 
trace what we should have expected; 
something annunciative of the de- 
elared cast of the composition ; some- 
thing of a martial air; so, at least, ina 
sensible degree; and by no means of 
that general kind, that it might as well 
serve for a leading movement to a calm 
as to a storm, to a pastoral féte as to 
a battle-piece. The march by which 
it is succeeded is manly and spirited ; 
and the two following andanées, and 
the concluding allegretto, are good in 
their kind. ‘The publication, there- 
fore, regarded in its totality, is respec- 
table, if not of the first order of excel- 
lence ; and ought to encourage Mr. 
Forster to proceed in his ingenious 
labours, as an instrumental composer. 
Analyzing his composition, we find 
many felicitous turns of thought, and 
some instances of harmonical evolu- 
tion and contrivance, which never 
proceed from mean talents, or superfi- 
ciality of science. 
Five-Finger Airs ; including some Popular 
Melodies, for the Study of Young Per- 
formers ; by J. Green. 6s. 
The principal object of this little 
‘publication is that of affording diver- 
sity to the study and practice of juve- 
nile performers. Its variety of exer- 
cises on one position of the hand,—all 
of which may be executed with or 
without the aid of the .chiroplast, or 
hand-direetor,—forms a valuable. fea- 
ture in the work; while many of the 
pieces are as pleasing to the ear as 
‘they are facile to the finger, and not 
tess calculated to promote improve- 
ment than to gratify the generality of 
auditors, especially those who are 
partial to short, simple, and unlaboured 
movements, R 
‘s Awake, my love, ere morning's, vay,” a 
Glee for three Voices. 2s. 
This song, or rather harmonized 
ballad, is but an inartificial composi- 
tion. The parts are disposed with lit- 
tie of that skill necessary to the best 
4 
effect. of combined voices; nor is the 
deficiency of the union compensated 
by the succession of the intervals, The 
words are so prettily, poetical, that 
we have to wonder at the apparent 
non-inspiration of the eomposer. No 
freshness, no sweetness, pervades the 
melody. It moves onward with an 
unappealing tameness, and is rather 
endured than enjoyed. But perhaps 
our ears haye been spoiled by the 
compositions of this species from the 
taste and science of the Drs. Cooke 
and Calcott, and the happy fancy and 
contrivance of the late Mr. Samucl 
Webbe and the ingenious John Staf- 
ford Sinith. 
Calanthus Song, from “ Glenarvon,” as sung 
by Mrs, Ashe; composed by F. J, Klose. 
1s. 6d. 
“Calantha’s song” is a ballad of 
two verses. We have not with any great 
success sought for that novelty and 
expression which should always cha- 
racterize this species of composition. 
The features of a ballad should be 
few, but striking ;. simple, yet franght 
with effect. But we should fear that 
the present article is not sufficiently 
marked by those characteristics, to 
delight the generality of its hearers. 
We are far, however, from meaning 
to exclude it from that elass of pro- 
ductions which has often pleased a 
large portion of vocal practitioners, or — 
to say that many amateurs are not 
likely to listen to it with pleasure and 
satisfaction. 
* Lassie wi? the bonny e’e,” a Scotch Ballad ; 
composed and arranged, with an Accompu- 
niment for the Piano-forte, by William 
Rogers, 1s. 
The melody of this ballad is of a 
common-place description, and far 
from being calculated to impress 
either the feelings or the ear. The 
ideas, instead of being the voluntary 
effusion of a prompt and ready fancy, 
are evidently constrained, Hence 
they are as awkward as unconnected, 
and incapable of moving the heart er 
of conciliating the external sense. 
THE DRAMA. 
. The summer theatricals, confined 
as they are to one house, (except we 
includeas theatricals the performances 
of the Coburg, Astley’s, and the other 
minor theatres,) are so inferiorly inte- 
resting, after the rich treats lately 
presented 
