AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 164, 11 July 1894, Page 8

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

A POPULAR CONCERT,

Tub eomowhab notable and significant departure trom thoir beaten track made last evening by the Choral Society at the third concert/ oi' tho season must, on the whole, be considered both satisfactory and successful. Hitherto, when the Society hats given an orchestral concert, tho programme has consisted mainly of standard worka of a classical or semi-classical order. An operatic overture and a couplo of songs were considered sufiicionb of tho leaven of "popular" music to lighten tho wholo. Tho facb, however, that theso lighter portions of the programme were those whioh pleased tho public most, was so emphatically evident that the Committee very wisely executed a species of somersault in tho arraugoment of tho programme for last night's concert, which consisted almost ontireiy of bho lightest of light orchestral music, ballasted by Mondeisshon's concerto for the piano with orchestral accompaniment, tho "Tannhaußer" chorus, and the overture to " William Tell." The two labter are certainly nob of the heavy classical, bub are, perhaps, moro appropriately grouped with Mendelssohn than Suppe, Sullivan, Strauss aud Bizet, whoso delightful meaeurea composed tho rest of the orchestral portion of tbe programme. The audience was a distinctly cold one, bub thero can be no possible doubb that the change was greatly appreciated by the majority. The piano solo of Miss Reeve, bhough unquestionably tha finest performance of the evoning, was for less generally appreciated than the ft.mosb madly exhilarating Batiiidibtcnatreicho of Suppe, a rollicking, jovial, and somewhab noisy composition, which instantly pub the audience in a good temper, and which was, ib may here be remarked, one of the mosb successfullyrendered orchestral items of the evening.

To return, however, to the concerto. There is littlo need to employ spaoo in praise of the beauty of the composition ; ib is as perfect a work of musical art as we possess, and was listeuod to with deep pleasure by genuine lovers of music of the highesb order present in bho audience. Miss Reeve's performance was most satisfactory. In technique and execution ib could scarcely have been more perfect, its was indeed a masterly rendition of a composibion of unusual difficulty. The orchestral accompaniment was without fault, and the members are to be warmly congratulated on tho excellence of this number, which was worthy of the closo attention bestowed upon ib by the conductor, tho leader and evory member of the orchostra. Tho overture to "William Tell" is so popular and so well known in orchestral work, thab its appearance on the programme was a genuine delight. Ilosaini's magniiicent storm music was admirably rendered, and the number woll deserved a much more prolonged burst of applause than thab which greeted ib. The chorus "Tannhauser" was, to many, the evenb of the evening. Perhaps because one had expected too much, perhaps for want of male voices, too eflecb, thoueh excellent, was nob' whab it might, what ib should, have been. Tho sopranos and contraltds completely swamped the basses and tenors, who wore weak mimericuliy. and apparently vocally, so thab much of the rolling grandeur of the splendidly impressive chorus was losfe. Yeb despite this, the "Tannhauser " was perhaps tho mosb popular item on tho programme, met with manifest approval. "Patience," delightful as ever, brought back the plcasantest reminiscences ot that whimsical opera, and was yreatly appreciated, especially by tho younger portion ol the audience. Strauss' waltz, " Morgon blatter," was likewise a popular orchestral feature of the evening, both these numbers foeiny admirably renderod. In Bizet's " L'Arlesieutie " tlio orchestra were scarcely co perfect. The Adugio was of bho three movements the best rondered. There were some eccentricities of timo in tho Minuotbo, aud in the Carrilion some of the wind instruments scarcely seemed nt home.

Miss L. Warren, who sang "The Carnival " aad." Whisporand 1 Shall Hear," was in capital voice and met with an enthusiastic reception. Mrs Hill must be warmly commended for the very excellent rendering of Hope Temple's song, " When We Meeb." She has a pleasant round contralto of excellent quality, and we hope wo shall often hear her in the future. Mr H. L. Brett (junior), who mado his debut at tho Choral Hall last night in " Saved from the Storm," promises to become a valuable singer. Ho is possessed of a good voice, and what is oven moro rare, has been taught to sing with expression. Mr Clarke Johnson, who sang "The Demon King," was received with great favour by the audienco, and was accorded a well-merited encore. Mr Johnson will bo a decided acquisition to the Choral Society. Herr Schinitt, Dr. Cox, and the orchestra generally, must be complimented on a thoroughly enjoyable concert.