Life of Mozart

—TAMINO. 321groundwork for the long recitative which follows, in whichTamino, prejudiced against Sarastro's wisdom and virtue, isgradually confounded and half-convinced by one of the priestsof the temple. In liveliness of dramatic expression andsuccessful rendering of the contrasts of animated conversation,combined with the seriousness proper tothe surroundingsand to the dignity of the priest, this recitative standsalone. The climax of the scene is reached in the consolatoryassurance of the priest that all shall be made plainso- bald dichführt der Freundschaft Hand ins Hei- lig-thum zum ew' gen Band,which is twice repeated by invisible male voices, accompaniedby trumpet chords. A solemn expression, in which emotionand exaltation are united, betokens the announcement of anoracle. The requirements of musical climax, of dramaticeffect, and of mystic symbolism are here again at one.Meanwhile we are conducted to the temple portals ;Tamino is consoled and reanimated by the intelligence thatPamina still lives, and, still far from having attained thephilosophic calm of the votaries, he has no thought but forhis love. As soon as he begins to express this purely personaland human emotion, the music becomes freer andlighter, and solemn seriousness gives place to cheerfulgeniality. The part taken at this juncture by the magicflute in assembling the listening animals round Tamino hasno connection with the situation nor with the symbolism ofthe piece ; it is a relic of the old fable. It was probablyowing to Mozart's aversion to the flute (Vol. I., p. 385), aswell as to the moderate proficiency of the tenor Schack, whoplayed it himself, that the flute is brought so little forward asa solo instrument ; another reason being that, as Taminoplayed it himself, it could only be inserted in the pauses ofhis songs. In this place it is a ballad-like cantilene to whichthe flute supplies the prelude and interlude ; afterwards,during the visit to the dark cave, Mozart has left the flutepart to the fancy of the flautist. During the fire and waterordeal, the flute has the melody of a slow march, and thepeculiar accompaniment of low chords for the trombones,III.Y