RECITAL OF SACRED MUSIC.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 172, 23 July 1890, Page 5

RECITAL OF SACRED MUSIC.

The announcement of an excellent programme to be performed ab All Saints' Church last evening, caused the building to be crowded so that seats had to be placed in the aisles. The recital had been prepared by the organ isb of the church, Mr Edger, but owing to his unavoidable absence from Auckland, the accompaniments wero played by Mr Vincent Rice, Organist of St. Sepulchre's. Mr Rice dayed ac an introductory organ solo "A i.eyerie" (W. Taylor), after which Haydn's Hymn to the Emperor was sung, No. 292. The incumbent then read the collect suited to the occasion, after which the choir sang the. anthem " The Lord is Exalted " (West) in a pleasing manner. Undoubtedly the chief interest Centred in the solos by Mrs Bahnson. Her first number was the fine air, ".With Verdure Clad" (Haydn). The opening recitative was rendered with pleasing correctness and the air sung with great expression. The high notes were struck with admirable precision, and the delicate manipulation of the voice in the fine run 3 pronounced the finished singer. Mr J. A. Beale, organist of St. Mary's Cathedral Church, performed an andante in G by Batiste as a solo upon the organ. The movement ia a fine one, and Mr Beale did it full justice. The choir next sang the anthem " The Sun Shall be No More" (Woodward) in fine style. This was followed by the tenor solo from " Elijah," "If with All Your Hearts," which was creditably sung by Mr W. Martin, who also took the preliminary recitative satisfactorily. Mr Beale nexb played Beethoven's solemn march for the organ, which was highly appreciated. This number afforded scope for the display of the organist's powers of execution. The descriptive air from the "Creation," "Now Heaven in Fullest Glory Shone," was well rendered by Mr Carder. Sphor's beautiful anthem, " As Pants the Hart," was sung with great expression by the choir, the fugue-like solo being admirably taken by Mrs Bahnson. A hymn was then sung, during which £9 4s was collected on behalf of the choir j music fund. The Vesper Hymn and triple I Amen closed a most enjoyable recital,