"MISSA CANTATA"

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 94, 18 October 1939, Page 17

"MISSA CANTATA"

HATAITAI METHODIST WORK

The choir at the Hataitai Methodist Church is known as one that ventures fct&" spfeTes of sacred music untried, save by few, and, incidentally, of doing its work Well. Recently, under the capable choirmaster, Mr. M. A. Rickard, they performed very effectively the choral work'of Dr. Charles Macpherson, "Missa CantSia," in the church. The work is main'y choral, in four parts, "Credo," "Saftctus," "B^nedictus," arid "Gloria," a typifial mass, full of excellent choral effect^ but with a. distinctly modern flair. Every movement was sung with nice expression and a real feeling of understanding of the words and the music. The "Credo" was specially good. The choir of over 30 voices was well balanced. Mr. H. Kelly was organist.

Dr. Macpherson was sub-organist of St. Paul's under Sir George Martin, and later organist and master of the choristers until 1927.

As a prelude to the work, the minister, the Rev. O. Burnet, told something of the theme and history, of the work and the place of the Nicene Creed in church life.

The "Missa" was preceded by an introit, a motet, "Not a Thought of Earthly Things," composed by the well-known Dunedin musician, Dr. Vernon Griffiths, and by a hymn study, "Abridge," sung with descant by the sopranos, and composed by Geoffrey1 Shaw.

There was a large congregation, and all thoroughly enjoyed the music.