ng us to the scene of the sacrifice
at Lystra, in which the two choruses, "The Gods themselves as Mortals,"
and "O be gracious, ye Immortals," are full of genuine Greek sensuousness
and in striking contrast with the seriousness and majestic character of
the harmony in the Christian chorus ("But our God abideth in Heaven")
which follows. Once more the Jews interfere, in the raging, wrathful
chorus, "This is Jehovah's Temple." In a pathetic tenor aria ("Be thou
faithful unto Death") Paul takes a sorrowful leave of his brethren, and
in response comes an equally tender chorus, "Far be it from thy Path."
Two stately choruses ("See what Love hath the Father," and "Now only unto
Him") close the work.

Hymn of Praise.

The "Lobgesang" ("Hymn of Praise") was written at Leipsic in 1840, the
occasion which gave birth to it being the fourth centennial celebration
of the art of printing. The musical features of the festival were
intrusted to Mendelssohn, the ceremonies occupying two days, June 24 and
25 of the above year. On the evening of the 23d there was a performance
of Lortzing's opera, "Hans Sachs," written for the occasion. On the
morning of the 24th there was a service in the church, followed by the
unveiling of the statue of Guttenberg in the public square, and an
open-air performance of the composer's "Festgesang" for two choirs, with
trombone accompaniment, David conducting one choir, and Mendelssohn the
other. In the afternoon of the 25th the "Hymn of Praise" was given for
the first time in St. Thomas's Church, preceded by Weber's "Jubilee
Overture" and Handel's "Dettingen Te Deum." Lampadius, who was present at
the performance, says:--

"The work called out the greatest enthusiasm, which could hardly be
repressed within bounds even by the fact that the audience were seated
within the walls of a church. After the first duet a subdued whisper of
applause ran through the edifice and betrayed the suppressed delight of
the listeners. On one of the evenings following, a torchlight
procession was made in honor of the great composer. Mendelssohn, who
then lived in Lurgenstein's Garden, appeared at the window, his face
lighted up with joy. 'Gentlemen,' he said in his neat, quiet way, with
a sensible trembling of the voice, 'you know that it is not my manner
to make many words; but I heartily thank you.' A loud 'Hoch!' three
times shouted, was our reply."

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