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Churchly Music in Rare Setting

From the Earlier Composers, Ecclesiastical Choral Works at Fogg Museum

THE concert of the Bach Cantata Club in the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard last evening proved something that previously would not have been thought possible. The large audience, drawn from various walks of life, will attend and applaud an “exposition of Ancient Church Music” (Seemingly, modern life and modern music are not so far apart as is sometimes thought). The program, under the direction of the Reverend Mr. William K. Wood, was a typical example of the choral music of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The concert included works of Giovanni Gabrieli (1557-1612), Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725), Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (1525-1594), and Giacomo Carissimi (1605-1674).

The manner of performance was as unusual as the program. Upon entering the museum, the audience was divided into two groups, one on the left and the other on the right, with the choir in the center. The reason for this arrangement was shortly disclosed. During the performance, the choir sang from two sides, sometimes three, and sang from both ends of the room. The audience was seated on the floor of the museum, and the choir was placed on the floor of the balcony. For one member, the choir of women’s voices was entirely invisible.

For the student of musical history as well as for the general listener, the concert was a unique and enjoyable experience. When the singers divided into two choirs, the effect was pleasing even beyond expectation. The concert opened with an antiphonal work, “Benedicta es, Jerusalem” by Gabrieli. Following this, the same composer’s “Benedictus” for three choirs, the first and third in unison, the second in the center, was given. The effect was impressive. The choir then sang from three different directions, and the audience was seated in the center. The effect was one of the most striking examples of the Venetian school.

Two choirs from Scarlatti’s “Stabat Mater” followed. The first, “Stabat Mater dolorosa,” was accompanied by an invisible choir of women’s voices. The second, “Eja, mater, fons amoris,” was accompanied by an organ. The two choirs of “Stabat Mater” were followed by a work of Palestrina, “Stabat Mater,” for two choirs. The effect was less dramatic than the other pieces; its subtlety of form and of crescendo and diminuendo was not so easily appreciated. The concert closed with a work of Carissimi, “Vespertina oratio,” a motet for two choirs, which was given with the same precision and clarity as the other works. The choir was accompanied by an organ, and the audience was seated on the floor of the museum.

The concert was a great success. The audience was large, and the interest was evident. The Fogg Art Museum is an unusual setting for a concert, but the acoustics were found to be excellent. The audience was seated on the floor, and the choir was placed on the balcony. The effect was striking, and the music was well worth hearing.

FOGG ART MUSEUM—HARVARD UNIVERSITY

Professor Meyer Schapiro, of the Art Department of Columbia University, will give an illustrated lecture on “Principles of Mediaeval Design,” on Friday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m. You are cordially invited to attend.

The Bach Cantata Club will sing choral numbers by Palestrina, Scarlatti and Gabrieli, in the court of the Museum, on Friday, April 29, at 8:15 p.m.

The concert will be free, but tickets must be obtained from the Museum before Friday.

DR. SCHAPIRO WILL LECTURE TODAY ON MEDIEVAL DESIGNS

Noted Scholar Will Talk at 4:30 o’clock This Afternoon

Dr. Meyer Schapiro of the Columbia University Department of Art, will give an illustrated lecture at the Fogg Museum this afternoon at 4:30 o’clock. His subject will be “Principles of Mediaeval Design.” The lecture will be held in the small lecture room.

Dr. Schapiro is one of the most brilliant of the younger generation of American scholars. His subject for his Ph.D. thesis was the “Romanesque Sculpture of the Auvergne.” He is the author of several important studies of the sculpture of Languedoc, and of illuminated manuscripts of the north and south French schools. In his talk he plans to study medieval design from an analytical point of view, posing a question which has long been under discussion.

Transcript
April 20, 1932
Crimson
April 22
1932

The image is a collage of two newspaper clippings from April 22, 1932, discussing events at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.

1. Left Side:

   • The main article is titled "Churchly Music in Rare Setting: From the Earlier Composers, Ecclesiastical Choruses at Fogg Museum."
   • It describes a concert by the Bach Cantata Club featuring ecclesiastic choruses from composers of the seventeenth century.
   • The concert included pieces by Giovanni Gabrieli, Alessandro Striggio, Claudio Monteverdi, Giovanni Palestrina, and Giacomo Carissimi.
   • The performance was notable for its unusual seating arrangement where the audience faced the center aisle, and the choir sang from both ends of the choral space.
   • The article highlights the historical significance of these pieces and their performance, noting that they were rarely heard in modern settings.

2. Right Side:

   • This part of the clipping is about a lecture by Professor Meyer Schapiro from Columbia University.
   • The lecture is titled "The Art of Medieval Design" and is scheduled for Friday, April 22, at 4:30 PM.
   • The event is hosted by the Fogg Art Museum.
   • Following this lecture, the Bach Cantata Club will perform choral numbers by Palestrina, Scarlatti, and Gabrieli on Friday, April 29, at 8:15 PM.
   • Tickets for the concert must be obtained from the Museum.

The left part of the clipping provides an in-depth review of the concert, while the right part announces a lecture and an upcoming concert by the Bach Cantata Club. The clippings together provide a detailed schedule and highlight the historical and artistic value of the events at the Fogg Art Museum.

The image is a transcribed newspaper clipping or a handwritten document from April 20, 1932, detailing an event at the Fogg Art Museum, Harvard University. Here is a detailed summary:

Main Article: "Churchly Music in Rare Setting"

From the Earlier Composers, Ecclesiastical Choruses at Fogg Museum

The concert featured the Bach Cantata Club at the Fogg Art Museum and included music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The performance was a rare opportunity to hear the sacred music of the early composers, including Giovanni Gabrieli, Alessandro Scarlatti, Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, and Giacomo Carissimi.

• Venue and Audience: The concert was held at the Fogg Art Museum and attracted a diverse audience.
• Unique Performance: The concert was notable for its unusual performance style, where singers divided into two groups and moved around the room, creating a three-dimensional effect. This was a method commonly used in the 16th and 17th centuries.
• Program Highlights: The program included:
  • Giovanni Gabrieli's "Benedictus" for three choirs.
  • Scarlatti's "Stabat Mater" for two choirs.
  • Palestrina's "Stabat Mater" for two choirs.
  • Carissimi's "Jephthah" oratorio, performed by the Bach Cantata Club.
• Concert Reception: The concert was praised for its innovative approach and the quality of the music, with a particular mention of the performance of the "Stabat Mater" by Palestrina.

Additional Information

FOGG ART MUSEUM – HARVARD UNIVERSITY

• Lecture: Professor Meyer Schapiro from Columbia University gave an illustrated lecture on "Principles of Mediaeval Design" on April 22 at 4:30 PM.
• Concert Details: The Bach Cantata Club's concert was free but required tickets obtained from the museum.

DR. SCHAPIRO WILL LECTURE TODAY ON MEDIEVAL DESIGNS

• Event: Dr. Meyer Schapiro gave a lecture titled "Principles of Medieval Design" at the Fogg Museum on April 22 at 4:30 PM.
• Background: Dr. Schapiro is noted for his work in medieval art and design, including the study of illuminated manuscripts and sculpture.

Transcript Details

• The document is dated April 20, 1932, and is titled "Transcript."

This summary captures the essence of the event and the significant musical and scholarly activities detailed in the document.

The image consists of two newspaper clippings related to a music concert and a lecture at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum.

Left Clipping: "Churchly Music in Rare Setting"

Title: From the Earlier Composers, Ecclesiastical Choruses at Fogg Museum

Content:

• A concert by the Bach Cantata Club at Harvard's Fogg Art Museum featured early church music, specifically from the 16th and 17th centuries.
• The concert was well-attended, drawing a diverse audience interested in ancient church music.
• The program included pieces by Giovanni Gabrieli, Alessandro Scarlatti, G. P. da Palestrina, and Giacomo Carissimi.
• The performance was unique in that the singers were divided into two groups, one on each side of the audience, creating a stereo effect.
• The concert began with Gabrieli's "Benedictus" and included works by Palestrina and Carissimi, highlighting the dramatic and varied vocal techniques of the period.
• The review praised the singers for their ability to convey the emotional and stylistic nuances of the music, with specific mention of the choir's ability to perform complex pieces with clarity and precision.

Right Clipping: "Fogg Art Museum – Harvard University"

Title: Dr. Schapiro Will Lecture Today on Medieval Designs

Content:

• Dr. Meyer Schapiro, a professor from Columbia University, was scheduled to give an illustrated lecture titled "Principles of Medieval Design" at the Fogg Art Museum on April 22, 1952, at 4:30 PM.
• The Bach Cantata Club was to perform choral numbers by Palestrina, Schütz, Scarlatti, and Gabrieli at 8:15 PM on April 20 in the museum's court.
• Dr. Schapiro is noted for his expertise in medieval art and illuminated manuscripts, and his lecture would focus on the analytical study of medieval design from an aesthetic perspective.
• The clipping also mentions that the concert was free but required obtaining tickets from the museum before Friday.

Additional Notes:

• Both clippings are dated April 1952.
• The left clipping includes a transcript dated April 30, 1952.
• The right clipping includes a note that the lecture would be held in the small lecture room and mentions Dr. Schapiro's background and areas of expertise.

This summary provides an overview of the historical events and notable figures featured in the newspaper clippings.

The image displays two newspaper clippings from April 1932, detailing cultural events at Harvard University.

Left Clipping: Church Music Concert at Fogg Museum

Title: Churchly Music in Rare Setting

Event Details:

• Concert: The Bach Cantata Club of Harvard performed a concert featuring earlier composers' ecclesiastical choruses at the Fogg Art Museum.
• Date and Time: The concert took place on Friday, April 29, at 8:15 p.m.
• Composers and Pieces:
  • Giovanni Gabrieli: "Jubilate" (1567)
  • Heinrich Schütz: "Herr, auf dich traue ich" (SWV 377)
  • Alessandro Scarlatti: "Stabat Mater" (1660-1725)
  • Giovanni Battista Pergolesi: "Stabat Mater" (1710-1736)
  • Gaetano Carissimi: Various selections

Performance Description:

• The concert showcased the music's transition from the Venetian and German styles to the Neapolitan and Italian styles.
• The choir faced both directions, splitting into two groups and singing from different parts of the hall, creating an immersive experience.
• The performance included two choruses from Scarlatti's "Stabat Mater" and selections from Carissimi's works, demonstrating a pure style of dramatic music.
• The choir was noted for its refined and clear-cut singing, fitting the mood of the music perfectly.

Right Clipping: Lecture by Professor Meyer Schapiro

Title: Fogg Art Museum – Harvard University

Event Details:

• Lecture: Professor Meyer Schapiro from the Art Department of Columbia University gave an illustrated lecture on "Principles of Medieval Design."
• Date and Time: The lecture occurred on Friday, April 22, at 4:30 p.m.
• Follow-up Event:
  • The Bach Cantata Club performed choral numbers by Palestrina, Schütz, Scarlatti, and Gabrieli on April 29, at 8:15 p.m.

Additional Note:

• Admission: The concert was free, but tickets needed to be obtained from the Museum before the event.

Bottom Note:

• Dr. Schapiro's lecture was a special study of the sculpture of Languedoc and illuminated manuscripts from both north and south French schools. He discussed the analytical approach to medieval design, exploring longstanding questions in the field. The note is dated April 22, 1932.

The image is a newspaper clipping from The Harvard Crimson, dated April 30, 1932. The article discusses two events at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.

1. Concert by the Bach Cantata Club:

   • The concert features rare churchly music from earlier composers, including Palestrina, Schütz, Scarlatti, and Gabrieli.
   • The performance is described as an "exposition of Ancient Church Music," which has not been heard in modern times.
   • The choir was arranged in the central court of the museum, with singers facing different directions to enhance the acoustics.
   • The program included works by Giovanni Gabrieli, Palestrina, Alessandro Scarlatti, Heinrich Schütz, and Giacomo Carissimi.
   • The performance was well-received, with praise for the singers' discipline and the conductor's leadership.

2. Lecture by Professor Meyer Schapiro:

   • Professor Meyer Schapiro from Columbia University will deliver an illustrated lecture on "Principles of Medieval Design" at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, April 29.
   • The lecture is part of a series and will be held in the small lecture room at the Fogg Museum.
   • Schapiro is noted for his expertise in medieval art and his analytical approach to design.

The article also includes a brief review of the concert, highlighting the impressive performance and the unique setting within the museum. The overall tone is informative and appreciative of the cultural and academic events taking place at the Fogg Art Museum.

The image is of a printed document, specifically arranged like a collage of newspaper clippings or typeset articles. It includes three main sections of text and additional handwritten notes. The overall theme relates to musical and academic events, with a focus on the historical context of church music, a lecture at Harvard University, and considerations on Italian composers.

In the top-left section, there's an article titled "Churchly Music in Rare Setting" discussing an event held by the Bach Cantata Club, which performed early music from various composers, highlighting the rarity and significance of such a concert.

The top-right section features an announcement from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University inviting to a lecture by Professor Meyer Schapiro on "Principles of Medieval Design." The text specifies the date and time of the event, noting that while it is free, tickets were required in advance.

Below this, on the bottom-right side, is a smaller piece titled "DR. SCHAPIRO WILL LECTURE TODAY ON MEDIEVAL DESIGNS." It provides additional information about Dr. Schapiro's qualifications and the content of his lecture related to medieval art, particularly illuminated manuscripts.

Lastly, there is handwritten text in red ink that reads "Crimson April 22, 1932," which most likely indicates the date and source of the publication, suggesting it is from The Harvard Crimson, the university's daily student newspaper.

On the bottom left, there is the word "Transcript" followed by the date "April 20 1932," handwritten, indicating possibly that the text above was transcribed or recorded on that date.

The whole composition is carefully placed on a larger, unprinted sheet, presumably for the purpose of preservation or presentation.

The image displays a scrapbook page featuring various articles and notices. Here is a detailed description of the contents:

1. Upper Left Section - Article:

   • Title: "Churchly Music in Rare Setting"
   • Description: The article discusses a concert by the Bach Cantata Club at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. It praises the large and attentive audience, the compelling appeal of ancient chorus music, and the high standards of the musical selections. It also mentions notable composers such as Palestrina, Schutz, and Gabrieli, and highlights the superb performance of the chorus led by conductor Townsend.
   • Date: Identified as "Transcript April 30 1932" handwritten at the bottom of the article.

2. Upper Right Section - Notice:

   • A notice from the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University.
   • Details: It announces a lecture by Professor Meyer Schapiro from Columbia University on "Principles of Medieval Design" to be held on Friday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. It invites attendees to the lecture. Additionally, it mentions that the Bach Cantata Club will sing choral numbers in the museum court on Friday, April 29 at 8:15 p.m. Tickets are free but must be obtained before Friday.

3. Lower Right Section - Article:

   • Description: Another brief article mentioning Dr. Meyer Schapiro’s lecture on medieval designs at the Fogg Museum and his significance in American scholarship. It notes his research on a specific monastery in France and his studies on medieval design and manuscripts.
   • Date: Handwritten as "Crimson April 22, 1932."

Overall, the scrapbook appears to commemorate events from April 1932 at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum, highlighting a concert and a lecture by noted scholars.

The image is a double-sided page from a newspaper or magazine, dated April 22, 1932. On the left side, there is an article titled "Churchly Music in Rare Setting" that discusses a concert of Bach Cantatas performed by the Bach Cantata Club at Harvard University's Fogg Art Museum. The article highlights the unique setting of the concert and the music's historical significance. On the right side, there is an announcement about a lecture by Dr. Meyer Schapiro, a professor from Columbia University, on the principles of medieval design. The lecture is scheduled for the same day as the concert, and it is open to the public. The page also includes a handwritten note in the bottom right corner, possibly indicating that the page was part of a collection or archive.

The image shows a collection of paper documents. There is a piece of paper on the left side with text written in black ink. It appears to be a transcript of an article from a newspaper or magazine. The text is written in a cursive font and is titled "Churchly Music in Rare Setting." There is a date at the bottom of the text, which reads "April 30, 1932."

There are two pieces of paper on the right side of the image. The top piece of paper has text written in black ink, which is titled "FOGG ART MUSEUM - HARVARD UNIVERSITY." There is a date at the bottom of the text, which reads "April 22, 1932." The bottom piece of paper has text written in black ink, which is titled "DR. SCHAPIRO WILL LECTURE TODAY ON MEDIEVAL DESIGNS." There is a date at the bottom of the text, which reads "April 22, 1932."

The image appears to be a collection of documents related to an event or lecture that took place in 1932. The event is related to church music and medieval designs, and it was held at the Fogg Art Museum at Harvard University. The documents provide information about the event, including the date, time, and location, as well as the name of the lecturer and the topic of the lecture.