AN ORTORIO "SUNG IN HEAVEN."

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 71, 24 November 1913, Page 2

AN ORTORIO "SUNG IN HEAVEN."

TheJfgath'of Mr A. R... Gauh the celebrated composer, recalls an incident off a personal nature which, for obvious 'reasons, i's written indelibh on niy mind and heart (writes a correspondent to the Birmingham Daily Post.) My late 'wife arid ] attended the Triennial Festival at- which his "Holy City" was produced. We were deeply impressed and thoroughly enjoyed the cantata, not only in regard to the music, which made a lasting impression upon our minds, but the words of the hymn, accompanied as they were by the full orchestra especially in.the last verAp, with its rolling bass, so "influenced us that we often afterwards spoke of it in the home. Shortly after her death, which occurred some years afterwards, T was awakened iri the s nig;ht by an affectionate kiss, and in the same instant a crash of music, rolling like thunder in the heavens, the orchestral instruments blending with heavenly voices, which towered above a11,,' making delicious harmony. The whole effect was utterly beyond description. The following are the words T heard:—•

Xo shadows yonder, all light and song, Each day T wonder, and say how long Shall time me sunder from'that dear throng?

Xp partings yonder, time and space : never Again shall sunder, hearts cannot .; sever, Dearer and fonder hands clasp for over. I may add that I had not heard these words sung nor had I referred to them or spoken of them after her death until the occasion referred to. S'rinie time afterwards T met Mr Gaul accidentally in the street, and, he being an old friend, I related the incident to him, prefacing the statements by saying, "You must have been inspired when yon wrote the 'Holy City,' for T have had evidence that it is being sung in heaven." Fie was greatly moved, and said, "It is strange, for several others have spoken to me of similar experiences."