| Citation |
SCAGG.768.019
1-8 Apr 1768:11 (11/491)
[Latin sentence "signed" by Quinctil, followed by this
article:] As there is no one thing that is attended with
more difficulty than that of musick, and as it requires a
very peculiar genius to make any considerable progress in
all the branches of that most elevated and exalted science;
it may not perhaps be quite uninstructive, if I should
endeavor to give some few hints upon one particular part of
it, which is generally distinguished by the name of taste,
or playing any composition with proper grace, it must appear
(I should imagine) extremely clear, that true taste can by
no means exist in a great profusion of graces, but such as
are well imagined, and properly applied. There seems to be
a genius peculiar to this sort of taste. It is impossible
to tell how the finest piece of harmony may suffer by an
unnatural mixture of unnatural graces. It is very often the
most violent inroad upon the propriety of harmony.
If there were a kind of committee appointed in all musical
assemblies, in order to examine into the graces both of the
vocal and instrumental performers, I am almost persuaded,
that such an expedient would not only conduce to the
improvement of musick in general, but that of taste in
particular. There is certainly a much greater beauty in a
proper plainness of singing and playing than the generality
of people are apt to imagine. What Horace has very
beautifully remarked of dress, may in a great measure be
applied to musick. There seems to be the simplicitas
modulationis (if the musical world will allow me the
expression) in the latter, as well as the simplicitas
mundiciarum [?] in the former. When a composition consists
of a great variety of parts, the performers, either vocal or
instrumental, should be very cautious how they give an
improper loose [?] to any great luxuriancy of fancy, I mean
with regard to graces, and more particularly to where
movements are slow, because the least departure from harmony
is then more easily perceived. To hear a composition quite
choked and smothered as it were with a multitude of graces,
is inconsistent with the true [?] life and spirit of musick,
and what must be universally condemned by all those who are
well-wishers and promoters of true melody. As my auditory
fibres or nerves, or whatever you please to call them, have
received a good deal of injurious treatment from this
quarter, I have a sort of right to propose a mediocrity of
gracing for the future, which is a thing much desired by
Yours, &c.
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