AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVIII, Issue 260, 9 November 1897, Page 5

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

MENDELSSOHN'S " LOBGESANG "

AND SOPHR'S "GOD, THOU ART

GREAT."

An excellent performance of Mendelssohn's " Lobgesang " and Spohr's .sacred cantata,. "God, Tliou Art Groat," was given last night by the Auckland Choral Society at the Choral Hall, which was, as is usual at these concerts, crowded to oversowing. The programme opened with the "Lobgesang," thelongsymphony, consisting of four separate movements, being, with the exception of a few bars, most artistically rendered by the orchestra. Of these movements perhaps the most popular is the allegretto, which abounds in beautiful melodies for the wood wind and violins, all of which were well executed ; and a word of special praise is due tothe oboe player fortheexeelleneeof his tone,andtheableinariner in which lie played a more than usually important part... The orchestra was also heard to advantage in the " Adagio religiose,"' the opening chords of which sounded full and sonorous, and altogether they accomplished their difficult task most successfully. All the choruses were faithfully interpreted, the voices taking up the opening one, "All Men, All Things," in line style. They were equally successful with the softer numbers, and in the numerous parts in which they sing with the solo voices, never overpowered the soloists. They gave a beautiful rendering of the choral, " Let All Men Praise the Lord," and a spirited interpretation of " Ye Nations Oiler to tho Lord." Mrs Lawry, who has a clear sourano voice of high compass, sang her sofos effectively. Her first one, "I'raise Thou the Lord," was artistically rendered, and in the beautiful duet " My 'Song Shall Always be Thy Mercy" she was heard to advantage. The duct for soprani and chorus " 1 Waited for the Lord " was carefully rendered by Mrs Lawry and Miss Gilfillan. Mr W. Martin was evidently suffering from a severe cold, but notwithstanding this he gave a sympathetic interpretation of the beautiful air " He Counteth all Your Sorrows." He sang the celebrated recitative, "We Called Through the Darkness," in true dramatic style, and his voice was heard to great advantage in the duet with Mrs Lawry, " My Song Shall Always be Thy Mercy." The second half of the programme was devoted to "God, Thou Art Groat," which, short as it is, contains a great deal of very beautiful music. The first chorus was fnagnilicently rendered, great attention being given to light and shade, and marks of expression. The second chorus was equally well done, the voices never being loud enough to spoil the effective soprano solo sung by Mrs Lawry. Bufc the most telling number of all was the duet " Children, Pray This Love to Cherish," exquisitely interpreted by Mrs Coates and Mr Martin, the accompaniment to which is extraordinarily beautiful and had ample justice done to it by the orchestra. Mr J. W. liyan sang his short recitative, " Be Dumb', Ye Sinners," with gcod effect, and Mrs Lawry, Mrs Coates, Messrs Martin and Ryan sang the quartette, "Walk Ye, Walk Ye, Hundred Thousands," most effectively. The orchestra played the accompaniments to the solos and choruses with tact, never getting too loud, so that the soloists could always make themselves heard. These excellent accompaniments are something comparatively new in Auckland, and not many years ago the duties of a solo singer must have been very trying, so loud and coarse used the accompaniments invariably to be. The improvement in the style of violin playing and the quality of tone produced is also very great. Herr Schmitt conducted with his usual skill, and Dr. Cox, who led the orchestra, by his unostentatious, effective playing contributed in no small measure to the success of the concert.