ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 283, 28 November 1919, Page 6

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR.

1— The final concert of the 1919 season wa« given by the Boyal Auckland Choir in tho i Town Hall last evening, and was largely attended by the public. A fine programme of musical items was presented, and highly enjoyable interpretations were obtained of the numbers. The choir mustered some 74 singers, and its reading of the part songs gave much pleasure. Saintis, a noted composer, was represented by his famous choral number, "On the Ramparts." This receive-, an unfolding which gave an excellent idea of the music and words. The maestoso passages of the initial movement were delivered with force and emphasis, and the echo effects were well managed, whilst the staccato measures of the subsequent "While the Twilight" were vocalised in a nicely detached manner, and in the legato parts the voices moved evenly and smoothly. A dashing and spirited performance was secured of "A Soldier's Life," a line feeling for rhythm in compound time was felt. and the syncopated bars were carefully, noted. The voices sang in graceful fashion in the Andante, whilst a delightfully even and tasteful reading was secured of the | Serenade, and the chording was rich ana (sonorous in the cloning "Who, Who So | Brave?" Tenderly rendered was "My ! Heart's Loved Queen," marked attention being bestowed on phrasing, enunciation, and the lights and shades of the music. The difficulties in Laurent de Rule's "Sons of the Crusaders" were not always surmounted, though generally an acceptable reading was obtained. Sullivan's "The Long Day Closes" received an expressive and elegantly phrased performance. The voices blended agreeably, fnlly sustained were the intervals, aud the work was very carefully shaded. A graphic delivery was given of De Rille's "The Retreat," well managed were the muffled drum parts, the first and second tenors sang "Hark! the Tattoo" in a nicely subdued style, tbe basses and baritones marking the tim*_ giving au effective performance of the ; "Plan rantan." The voices 'aarmonised well in "Shadows of Darkness," and a very effective pianissimo was secured in the closing measures of the "Tattoo." Kreutzer's "The Chapel," admirably given, terminated the choir's contribution to th* programme. Dr. W. E. Thomas ably (conducted the singers, always keeping tho-ai under firm command. Teresa del Riego's "Gloria" received a»* enjoyable performance by Mr. and Mrs. Cyril Towsey and Mr. E. N. Wright. The soprano and tenor gave with freedom of style and pleasing vocal timbre --CaUow Care." "Up Through Love's Infini-e Ascent" was expressively delivered by Mr. Wright, who was also successful in "Tne Seanoon," and "Fair Daughter." Mrs. Towsey gave a tripping aud graceful delivery of "Music Tripping," a telling rendering of "Sink, Red Sun," a delightful portrayal of "I've a Cottage," and an impressive and nicely phrased performance of '•Dear, Is it Nothing." She was' also hoard in artistic deliveries of Mallinson's "Slow, Horses, Slow," and "Sing, Break Into Song," after which the soloist was presented with several floral tributes, and then gave with nice feeling "Three Fishers." Besides charmingly displaying the beautiful pianoforte music of the "Song Cycle," Mr. j Cyril Towsey played Chopin's Ballade in ! A flat, his all conquering technique over- ] coming its technical difficulties with ease. jln response to a double encore he playe* ! Chopin's "F Sharp Major Nocturne," and i Bamett's "Berceuse." Elgar's "Like to a | Damask Rose" was pleasingly sung by Mr. E. N. Wright, and as an extra iv reply to a warm recall he was heard in an expresIsive delivery of Handel's "Where'er Ton i Walk." Master Christie O'Malley, tt young ' nautist of promise, distinguished himself In Young's "Carnival de Venice." A nice tone was obtained, his intonation was reliable, and the cadenza was given with I accuracy and distinctness. In reply to a I merited recall the young soloist gave sucj cessfully a piccolo solo. Mr. Whittaker acted las accompanist. ~ J,