CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 134, 7 June 1911, Page 7

CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

HAYDN'S CREATION." The Auckland Choral Society's second concert of the season was largely attended lust evening, and a very creditable performance was given of Haydn's fine oratorio "The Creation." This work is an exquisite picture of nature, and is characterised by grace, sweetness, and elegance of form, and by pure, healthy music. The choralists attended in good numbers, and sang their music with commendable distinction. The leads were decidedly given, the intonation reliable, the tonal (Strength in the crescendos and diminuendos was suitably differentiated. All through the choir sang with confidence, and in the massive choruses produced a pleasing volume -of tone. The instrumental part i was often inadequately performed, and left much to be desired.

The soprano music was intelligently rendered by Madam Chambers, who was always warmly applauded at the close of Jier arias. She gave with nice expression and freedom of voiceV'On Mighty Pens," and sang out firmly and to good purpose in the solo portion of "The Lord is Great." The florid parts of the beautiful aria "With Verdure Clad" were vocalised with, facility,- and the music was gracefully phrased. A successful performance was ialso secured of "The. Marv'lous Work," the singer's voice standing out well over the voices of the choralists.

The bass solos found a capable exponent in Mr. H. B. Coney. His declamation in the various recitatives was effective, and his readings of the solos gave evidence of careful preparation. Though not any too well accompanied by the orchestra, he managed to obtain a vigorous rendering of "Rolling in Foaming Billows," and sang with expression "Softly Parting." He received a better accompaniment to his solo "Be Fruitful All," and was very successful in his delivery of it. He also sang to advantage in the powerful and dignified aria "Now Heaven in Fullest Glory Shone," and "Our Duty We Have Now Performed."

Mr. W. Aspinall contributed the arias "Now Vanish Before the Holy Beams" and "In Native Worth" successfully, and gave commendable renderings of the recitatives "In Splendour Bright" and "In Rosy Mantle. The terzetto "Most Beautiful Appear," and the trios, "The Lord is Great" and "On Thee Each Living Soul Awaits," received effective interpretations by Madam Chambers and Messrs. Coney and Aspinall. The two former vocalists also gave praiseworthy renderings of the , duos "Graceful Consort," "By Thee - With Bliss," and "Of Stars the Fairest."

The choir sang the difficult intervals in "Despairing Cursing Rage" accurately, and the piano and legato singing in "A New Created World" was very good. An exultant reading was given of "TheMarv'lous Work." A vivacious delivery was obtained of "Awake the Harp." The leads and releases were carefully attended to, while the florid music was lightly and effectively sung by all the voices. The great chorus "The Heavens are Telling" received a majestic and powerful rendering; the leads were attacked with admirable precision and force, and a splendid display was made in the syncopated passages. The part singing was good in the powerful "The Lord is Great." A praiseworthy delivery was given of "Achieved is - the Gloriou3 Work," in which the special features of the performance were admirable sustained singing, decided leads, regard to marks of accentuation, and good intonation. The choir was most happy in its gentle response, "For Ever Blessed Be His Power," to the duettists' music of "By Thee, With Bliss," and a most enjoyable interpretation was given of the beautiful and majestic paean "Hail, Beauteous Lord! Almighty Hail!" The concert was conducted by Dr. Thomas, Miss Whitelaw led the orchestra, Mrs. Jackson acted as pianist, and Mr. Hunt presided at the organ.

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