a ee oe re a 
440 Review of New Mufical Publications. 
together with his other lyrical productions, 
evince talents which we fhould be glad to 
fee employed in a higher {pécies of writing. 
6* Alcanssor and Zaida,’ a Moorifh Tale, by 
Piercy, imitated fromthe Spanifb. With an 
Accompaniment for she Piano-forte. The 
Mufic compofed by ‘fobn Aldridge, of New- 
caftle-upon-Tyne. 1s. 
The chief merit of this ballad, which - 
confifts of no lefs than five verfes, is its 
unaffected fimplicity: fo far it accords 
with the ftyle and fentiment of the words ; 
but the paflages want novelty, connection, 
and character ; hence a faintnefs of effect, 
bordering on infipidity, and a want of that 
intereft of which the poetry would have 
been found highly fufceptible in the hands 
of a great and original compofer. 
Tivo Sonatas for the Piano-forte. Compofed by 
L. Van Beethoven. 6s. 
Each of thefe fonatas comprizes three 
movements, the cafts of which are tole- 
rably contralted ; but the zeneral ftyle is 
hard, extraneoufly chromatic, and better 
calculated to pleafe the admirers of dry 
fcience, than to gratify thofe who delight 
in the pure and unfophifticated efforts of 
genius. We however are by no means 
inclined to depreciate this fourteenth work 
of Mr. Beethoven ; it claims a fuperiority 
over moft produétions in the fame ftyle, 
and exhibits a familiarity with the fecrets 
of modulation, and a maftery in tranfitive 
combination, highly creditable to the 
compofer’s jearning and fagacity. 
“* The Stout-limb’d Oak.’ A Glee for Four 
Voices, as fung at Harrifon and Knyvett’s Vo- 
cal Concerts. Compofed by Ff. Danby. 25. 
This glee, the words of which are tranf- 
lated from Metatftafio, does credit to Mr. 
Danby as a compofer of vocal harmony. 
Whether the prefent compofition be a 
pofthumous produétion of the late inge- 
nious Mr. Danby, juftly admired for the 
beauties of many of his glees, or of a fon 
of that gentleman, we know not ; and let 
that doubt infer our idea of its general me- 
rit: yet we muft neverthelefs ob/erve, 
that the refponfes to the feveral points are 
not remarkable for the addrefs with which 
they are conducted ; nor does the difpofi- 
tion of the parts befpeak the mafter-hand 
_ of a Cooke, a Stafford, Smith, or Batti- 
fhill, 
€¢ Rritannia’s Glorious Charter.’ A favourite 
Song, «written and adapted to the Natiwnal 
- Mir, Rule Britannia, harmonized for three 
Voices, by ames Peek. 15. : 
Mr. Peck’s harmonization of this na- 
tional and juftly-celebrated air is fo con- 
Rrucied as to exhibit a tolerable acquain- 
[June 1; 
tance with the laws of combination. The 
parts move eafily and naturally ; and if 
correctly performed, will be found to pro- 
duce an effe& creditable to the Judgment 
of the harmonizer. 
‘* The Zephyr.” A favourite Song far the Pi- 
ano-forte. Ve'ritten by C. Leftley, E jg. Com- 
pofed by Thomas Thompfon, Orgampt, New-~ 
caftle-upon-Tyn® 15. : 
We cannot but declare eurfelves parti- 
cularly ftruck with this air. The paflages 
are remarkably original, and arife out of 
each other with an effect befpeaking great 
fancy and invention, as well as a matured 
judgment. The bafs, which is chiefly ar- 
peggio, is well conftruéted, and proves the 
compofer to be a well-fludied mufician. . 
6¢ The Lavender Lafs.” Anew Ballad, with 
an Sccompaniment for the Piano-forte or Harp. 
Likewife adapted as a Duet for Two Flutes. 
Campojed by Lheodore Smith, Efq. 1s. 
In this fong we have an additional proof 
of Mr. Smith’s tafte and cultivated judg- 
ment. The meledy is highly pleafing and 
characteriltic ; and the arpeggio accompa- 
niment is calculated to give much force to 
the effect, 
** Poor Mary of Buttermere.” A Ballad fung 
by Mafier Smith at the Ladies’ Concerts. The 
Poetry bya Lady. The Mufic compofed, with 
an <Sccompaniment for the Piano- forte, by 
Foliph Corfe, 
The lady from whofe pen the words of 
this ballad comes has done ample juftice to 
her pathetic and truly-affeéting fubje& ; 
nor has Mr. Corfe followed her with an in- | 
effectual illuftraticn of her fentiments.— 
The poetry and mufic lend each other their 
due aid ; and poor Mary’s ftory can never 
excite a more fincere fympathy than in the 
way it is here told. 
Peck’s Pendulum, or Pocket Metrometer, Sor af- » 
certaining the Lengths of Mufical Notes. 
We have examined this metrometer, 
and are of opinion that conficerable advan- 
tages are to be derived from it to thofe 
practitioners who will have the curiofity 
and patience to give it a fair trial. This 
inftrursent, which operates by vibration, 
is very fimple in its conftru&tion, and may 
in an inftant be fo fixed to almoft any of 
the furniture of a room as to anlwer all 
the intended purpofe. - 
Dr. Bufby’s excellent and admired mu- 
fic in the laft new Opera produced at Co-. 
vent-garden is, we-are glad to hear, inthe 
prefs, and will fpeedily be publifhed. In- 
ournext Number we hope to be able to 
prefent our mufical readers with our re- 
marks on its merits. . 
VARIETIES, 
