Santu De Silva wrote of the Meditation from Thais:

>Does anyone have knowledge of where I might find a recording of the aria,
>for what voice is it written (Mezzo?), or whether it is an orchestral
>interlude in the opera? I know there are several violinists on the list
>(Chris?) and at least one singer, and I'm hoping someone knows.

A friend who owns a complete recording of the opera (Beverley Sills/Lorin
Maazel) tells me the piece is an interlude between scenes and that on this
recording, Maazel plays the violin solo in the Meditation.

He also asked:

>2.  Can anyone provide information about a chorus by Beethoven whose
>opening line (in English translation) goes: "The heav'ns proclaim Him
>(with ceaseless devotion)" sung in unison? It's a very simple and jolly
>piece to sing--we sang it in grade school.  I seem to remember that it
>was in C major.  (I asked this question on another list, but I have lost
>the responses I received...mea culpa.)

I have this on a DG LP of assorted choruses that was released in June,
1962.  It gives the title as Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur.  The notes do
not give any date of composition and I can't find it in Beethoven's work
list as a separate item.

The uncredited words (Umlauts follow the letters they apply to):

DIE EHRE GOTTES AUS DER NATUR

Die Himmel ru"hmen des Ewigen Ehre,
Ihr Schall pflanzt seinen Namen fort.
Ihn ru"hmt der Erdkreis,
Ihn preisen die Meere,
Vernimm, o Mensch,
Ihr go"ttlich Wort!

Wer tra"gt der Himmel unza"hlbare Sterne?
Wer fu"hrt die Sonn' aus ihrem Zelt?
Sie kommt und leuchtet und lacht uns von ferne,
Und la"uft den Weg gleich als ein Held.

The cover doesn't provide a translation.

Richard Pennycuick
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