CHORAL HALL.-J. BRAHMS AND H. SMART.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 203, 31 August 1887, Page 5

CHORAL HALL.-J. BRAHMS AND H. SMART.

Last night the Choral Society gave, before a crowded and appreciative audience,

its fourth and penultimate concert of the season. The success achieved was fully commensurate with the excellent reputation of the Society, and supplied fresh attestation, if that were needed, of the skill and application of the conductor (Herr Carl Schrnitt) in training the matei-ial placedathis disposal. Theprogramme comprised Brahms's " Song of Destiny " (" Schicksalslied ") and Henry Smart's "Bride of Dunkerron." While the wisdom of setting down Brahms's rather recondite composition for performance by an amateur society has been called in question, it cannot be gainsaid that the two cantatas thus placed in juxtaposition afford an excellent contrast, and enable one to compare two divergent schools of musical treatment and art form. Brahms' muse is severely classical and abstruse, disclosing its hidden beauties only to the judgment of the virtuoso, and manifesting on the part of its composer greater regard for the musical expression of his ideas than for that melodic charm which will beguile and ravish the popular eai. It is well, at any rate, that the public should have an opportunity of hearing the characteristic music of the greatest living German composer, of one whose independent and virile stylo has caused him to be extravagantly extolled by one coterie of critics and unjustifiably condemned by another coterie. The " Schicksalslied " was composed in 1872, and is a companion work to the " Triumphlied" ("Songof Triumph"), produced by the same hand in the preceding year. Its performance by the Choral Society last night was marked by defects incidental to the exacting nature and unfamiliarity of the work ; but on tho whole it was interpreted with an ability which reflects credit on the Society and itspainstakingconductor. The performing forces were not up to their usual strength, the basses being especially weak in numerical strength. There was also a falling off in tho soprano division. In all there were 33 instruments and 111 voices, viz., 43 sopranos,2B contraltos,l7 tenors, and 20 baritones and basses. The chief vocal blemish in the rendering of the "Song of Destiny" was with regard to the gradations of expression, and it was more noticeable iv the allegro than in the adagio movement. In the allegro portion, too the trebles and tenors were hardly resolute enough in attack. The orchestration is very line, and although it was generally well rendered, the intonation was at fault more than once.

. Henry Smart's cantata and chef d'ahtvre, "The Bride of Dunkerron," was composed in 1864, and was performed by the Auckland Choral Society some nine years ago, so that it is by no means new. It is one of the most charming specimens of modern Errg lish music. It is distinguished by sweet and graceful melody, the form is symmetrical and shaped by a scholarly hand, and the various numbers are beautifully harmonised. In fine, it is a work admirably adapted for popular presentation, and sure to please any ear "attuned to the concord of sweet sounds." If we except the tenors, who were singularly weak, and who took up several leads feebly and irresolutely, the choruses generally were sung with crispness and vigour. The Ist and 2nd trebles were particularly good, and the whole of the Sea-maidens' music was interpreted with marked effect. The full chorus of Storm Spirits " Down Through the Deep" was rendered in first-class style, and very fine also were the choruses " The Black Clouds Curl " and "Roar, Wind of the Tempest." It is to be hoped that on the occasion of the next concert both tenors aud basses will muster in greater force, and vindicate the ■prestige. which they allowed to sutler last night. The orchestra fulfilled its share of the work very creditably, the general excellence fully atoning for individual shortcomings ; t.'at is, so far as the choral accompaniments and the purely instrumental passages are concerned. But the solo accompaniments were unsatisfactory, by reason of that sustained forte style of playing which is the orchestra's besetting sin, and which deprives the solo numbers of their intended effect. We have no voices of sufficient power and volume to compete against 33 instruments in full vigour of blastor marii pulation.

The solos were allotted to Miss Whitaker (soprano), Mr Edwin Hosking (tenor), and Mr Worrall (bass.) Both soprano and tenor Have light, flexible, and well-cultured voices, and their very lightness should have ensured moderation of tone from the orchestra in accompanying them. Miss Whitaker sang wibh great taste and sweetness, and her reading was marked by precision. Her voice is not of great compass, and the lady therefore wisely refrained from attempting the full reach of the cadenzas in the air " Our Home Shall Be." In other passages also she was careful not to force her voice, and as a consequence she acquitted herself well throughout. Mr Hosking confirmed the very favourable impression which he made at the Ponsonby Choral Society's last concert. His singing reveals an intelligent study of his part, the expression especially, receiving from him nice and careful treatment. His voice is a pure tenor, light in quality, sweet in li7nbre,and of good compass, besides being very flexible. In one passage the singer started half a tone too soon, but it was the only slip. Mr Hosking is a decided gain to the Society. Mr Worrall has greatly improved in his style of singing, and he gave a satisfactory account of himself. His voice is rather uneven in quality, and it does not harmonise so well as could be wished in concerted numbers. Of these the weakest last night was the tiio, while the first duet (Miss Whitaker and Mr Hosking) was the best. Mr Worrall gave the solo " The Sea Rules All," very effectively, the high range of the music necessitating some inversions, which were judiciously made.

On Tuesday evening next the Choral Society begin the rehearsal of the ,-'Spring" part of Haydn's "Seasons" and Beethoven's " Engedi" for the final concert of

the season,