Page:The history of Mendelssohn's oratorio 'Elijah'.djvu/102

 HISTORY OF MENDELSSOHN'S "ELIJAH."

��two songs " deliciously," says a critic ; the first, " If with all your hearts," was encored, and "the smile upon Mendelssohn's face while it was being sung showed how much he was pleased with the chaste execution of this young tenor." The soprano and contralto soloists failed to satisfy Mendelssohn.

No small measure of the success of the per- formance was due to Mr. Stimpson, the un- wearied chorus-master. At its conclusion Mendels- sohn took him by both hands and said : " What can I give you in return for what you have done for my work? " The composer was delighted with the manner in which the band and chorus had rendered his music ; and an old member of the band records " the eagerness with which Mendelssohn shook hands with all who could get near him in the artists' room, thanking them warmly for the performance." A veteran member of the choir, speaking from the recollections and experiences of more than fifty years, says of Mendelssohn's appearance and conducting: "It was one of the most impressive memories I have in matters musical."

Before going into the Hall, Mendelssohn saiJ to Chorley, the musical critic of the Athencvuni : "Now stick your claws into my book. Don't tell me what you like, but tell me what you chii't like." After the performance, he said in his merriest manner to Chorley : " Come, and I will show you the prettiest walk in Birmingham." He then led the critic and other friends to the banks of the canal, bordered by coal and cinder heaps. There, ( S4 )

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