The Waihi Liedertafel.

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1149, 19 November 1904, Page 2

The Waihi Liedertafel.

Opting Goife-t.

OKFiCKtis.-Prosidont: His Worship tho Mayor, Thos.- Gilmour, Esq. VicoPresidents: R,"E, Williams, Esq., Rev. Father Brodie and Rev. J, L, Pattullo. Committeo; Messrs, Jos. Adams, W. Howe, A. Raynor, W. Oraufurd-Brown, and 0. F, Sims, Hon, Conductor: Mr. Charles Raynor, Eon, Deputy Conductor: Mr, Tims. Gardner. Hon. Pianists: Miss N. Power and Mr. W. Crauturd-Bi'Oivn. Hon. Librarian: Mr. CF.Sims. Hon, Treasurer: Mr, K. S. Ready, Hon, fcjocrctary: Mr. W. Robins.

Performing Mbmbxbs,- Tonori; J, Adams, W. Cmuford-Brcnvn, \V. Cutforth, T. Gardner, Jl Humphries, R. Henderson, Rov,s. C. Harrison, 'A. Lamb, J. Molndoe, J, Patterson, R. S. Ready, A, R, Raynor,' W. W. Howe, 0, Raynor, W. Robins, F. W. Seymour. Bassii.S. Arlams, A. R, Burnell, Rev, Bnckland, Rev. Father Brodie, N, „ Bongo, W, Hicks, 11. Ucwsoii, J. Hondorsrn, A. Lakuiuan, G. (!. M'liins, E. Morgan, 4. Nicholson. T. Snow, C F. Sims, R. E. William*, W. Williams, It. Wood.

In tho present day the Liedertafel is not only nn ostablishcd instinition, but is k popular exponent of hour urn; story. At tho time of its inaugmation the critics wore against it. Thoy maintained time vociilisntiflii wilhont instrumental supper! would nover stind the test of criticism; thnt tho idea was an innovation on orthodox methods which.eould not be thought of seriously, much less favourably; mid that tho function would be dhori-'liy tl, Tho Licdorhfel thought otherwi.se Thoy contended strongly that artificial support was not a nocessioy, and ttafc vccalisition had the powor in itself to tivo duo and proper effect in tho beauty, the piihos, or tho humour of words set to music, Thoy wont on with the venture, and succeeded. Tho critics wcro asionishod, mid tha consure ceased and praise look its place. From small beginnings the Liederhfcl has spread to tho corners of the earth, and today is what we havo said it is. Wo offer our congratulations to tho local society on tho success of its openin" concert. It unhappily occurs too often that societies of tho kind, especially in small communities, give tho initial conceit beforo sufficient praorico has been gone through to make them as perfect as they might be, and by reason of this an impression is created which can only reflect on tho members and bodo ill for the future of tho societies. This cannot bo said of the Waihi Liedortafel, For n first appearand a greater success could not bo desired, and tho concert was truly Liedortafol, Tho members occupied rows of chairs oxlenditig from one side of tho stgo to the othar, each row behind tho first being elevated higher than the one beforo it, thin placing the wholoof the company in view of the audience. Tho first itom given bythe Ijicdertalel wasKrugh's " Hark! the Merry Drum," and tho way in which it was rendered was an indication that the concerted pieces to follow woro to bo gonnino treats. The piece is attractive and stirring, and in tho hands of tho Liederiafcl rcceiv.d full p. tice. From beginning to end the harmony was faultless, tho lenori and bassi being so evenly balancpd that one did not exceed tho other in volume, The correct timo in the movements and the marked precision showod long and cartful, pmc» tice, and tho rondonng was an illustration of what can bo done by tho voice unaided by instrumental accompaniment. On re* sinning their Roats the members wero roward'id with a hearty clapping ol hands throughout the building, The next piece by tho company, "The Chapel" (Kreut?.or) was almost tho antithesis of the fiwt, being as soft and subdued as the other was active, but with unflieicnt modulation'to prove tho quality of tho voices and tho general harmony. In Ibis the Liedertafrl was equally at home, and the applai.se that followed was a tribute to tlio merit of tho performance. Tho third part song, "The Toa«t" (Zollner) was also much appreciated, tlio bright and sharp passages giving full scope for tho display of the company's ability

Up lo tho present the npplnnso following eooh of the numbers was sufficient to havo brought buolt nine tenths n( tho singars wo havo seen, but rlin Lio'lettiifi-l, on' aceoun' perhaps of modesty, did not respond; but in the next piece "The Young Musicians," (Kuoken) the audience whs so insistent that tho company had to repeat i', and a similar compliment was paid in onuh of the remaining numbers. Wo hare not tho spneo to give nil of the items a detailed notice; wo can onlv say that tho Lio'ktafel hud the fullest opportunity of showing its versaiilfcy, and that none of tho opportunity wn< lost, Tho rest of the part sours wcro '"lonirados in Arms" (Adam), " Laughing" (Abt), " Evening" (Abi), and " Soldier's Fare, well" (Kinnkeli), Dining tho ovening Miss Ella Parrell, an Aucliland favourito, gave three selections, "Waiting," "For All Eternity," and "Tho Swallows," and was heartily oncored for ouch. This lady has a voice of exceeding purity and flexibility, and nno that is full of expression; and her clearness of ommciutioD is a quality few vocalists possess in so' marked a degree. Wo hope that Miss Farrell will visit Wnihi frequently. A quartolto, "Maiden, Liblou," by members of tho Liedertafol-Messrs Gardiner, Humphries, .Munns, and Mor-gan-was capitally rondered. Quartettes and trios avo always popular, and from tho Lielortafel we hopo to have plenty of them.

"Tho Gipsies' Laughing Trio," by Messrs Eayner Brothers and, Williams, members of tho" Lioder," was one of the features of tho evoning. Mr. W. W. Rowe gavo" Queen of the Earth" very correctly, and Mr. Morgan was greatly applauded for \\h singing of" King of tho Deep," Thero were two overtures—" Plight from Pompeii" and "With Flying Colours." ThoßO wore given by ilia Orchestral Society in tho manner that has rondered it locally famous. This generous and talontod bodv dosorves to bo well supported at tho hand's of the public.

The accompanists during tho ovening for tho solos, trios and quarlottos wero Misses N. Power and Garroy, and for the part singing Mr, W. Ornnfurd Bjown. Tho duties wero capably curried out, Tho conductor, Mr. C. Rayner, acquitted himself a -humbly. It was doubt, less owing tn the pains ilmt Mr. liiyner has taken with his work that a great part ol the success of tho concert was duo.' Tho Liodert'ifol was introduced to the audience by the ltov. J. L. P.ittullo, one of tho vice-presidents, who said that during tho comp'iralivfly short existence of tho Socioty tho members had dovoted a lot of timo and uttontiuii to practice in ordor to attain a liijjb. stato of ellicipncy. Ho would nsk the nuoionco to join with him in wishing tho society every success. Wo predict a good future'(or tho Waihi Liodertafcl, The prediction is warranted by tho concert last night.