rformance was at Birmingham, Sept. 23, 1840, Mendelssohn
himself conducting. After this performance it was considerably changed,
and the whole scene of the watchman was added. The idea occurred to him
after a sleepless night, during which, as he informed a friend, the
words, "Will the night soon pass?" incessantly came into his mind.

The title given to the "Hymn of Praise," "a symphony-cantata," was first
suggested by his friend Carl Klingemann, of London, as will be seen by
the following interesting extract from a letter written by Mendelssohn to
him, Nov. 18, 1840:--

"My 'Hymn of Praise' is to be performed the end of this month for the
benefit of old invalided musicians. I am determined, however, that it
shall not be produced in the imperfect form in which, owing to my
illness, it was given in Birmingham; so that makes me work hard. Four
new pieces are to be added, and I have also much improved the three
sets of symphonies, which are now in the hands of the copyist. As an
introduction to the chorus, 'The Night is passed,' I have found far
finer words in the Bible, and admirably adapted to the music. By the
by, you have much to answer for in the admirable title you hit on so
cleverly; for not only have I sent forth the piece into the world as a
symphony-cantata, but I have serious thoughts of resuming the first
'Walpurgis Night' (which has been so long lying by me) under the same
cognomen, and finishing and getting rid of it at last. It is singular
enough that at the very first suggestion of this idea I should have
written to Berlin that I was resolved to compose a symphony with a
chorus. Subsequently I had not courage to begin, because the three
movements were too long for an introduction; and yet I never could
divest myself of the impression that something was wanting in the shape
of an introduction. Now the symphony is to be inserted according to my
original intention, and the piece brought out at once."

The text to the "Hymn of Praise" is not in narrative form, nor has it any
particular dramatic significance. It is what its name indicates,--a
tribute of praise. Lampadius says the composer undertook to show "the
triumph at the creation of light over darkness. With his pious and
believing heart he could easily enter into that theme, and show with
matchless power and skill the closing-in of those ancient foes, and the
victory of light when darkness cowered and ignobly shrank