MENDELSSOHN'S "ST. PAUL."

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 49, 27 February 1929, Page 11

MENDELSSOHN'S "ST. PAUL."

BT METHODIST CHOIRS. AN ENJOYABLE PERFORMANCE. The combined choirs of the Methodist Church, assisted by a local orchestra and the grand organ, gave an enjoyable performance of Mendelssohn's first oratorio. "Saint Paul." in the Town Hall last night before a crowded attendance. On the evening of Whitsunday. May 22. 1836. "St. Paul" was produced in Dusseldorf. the occasion being the Lower Rhine Festival, the composer conducting. On this occasion the orchestra was led by Ferdinad David and consisted" of 172 executants, and a chorus of 364 members. In England it was performed in Liverpool a little more than four months after its presentation in Germany. After its initial production the author expunged fourteen numbers, leaving the work in the form we now know it. -* The oratorio is arranged for four soloists, orchestra and chorus. Its three principal themes are the martyrdom of Saint Stephen, the conversion of Saint Paul, and the apostle's subsequent career. The main thought pervading the composition is the glorification of Christianity. It is noteworthy that the chorale. '"To Thee, O Lord," and the chorus, "Happy and Blest are They," which are important numbers in this oratorio, were the anthems sung at Mendelssohn's funeral service on Sunday, November 7, 1547. in the Pauliner Church, Leipzic. and that it was in the duet of the '"False Witnesses" that Fanny Hensel. Mendelssohn's gifted sister, who was seated among the contraltos, came to the assistance of the erring duettist. singing the music steadily and firmly, until the bass had regained his part. The performance went smoothly throughout, and some refined contrasts were secured. The soprani *ang i ll an alert style, a round body of tone was made by the contraltos, and the basses and tenors were generally successful in the leads and release of the intervals. A competent orchestra of 20 players led by Miss Whitelaw lent good aid. whilst Mr. Edgar Randal distinguished himself at the grand organ supplying the reed and flute solos required, and Mr. Maughan Bamett directed in masterly fashion, keeping his forces always under command. The soprano arias were entrusted to Miss Alma McGruer. who gave devotional and musical interpretations of the music. She obtained a fervent and impressive reading of the lyrical solo, "Jerusalem, Thou That Killest the Prophets," whilst in the serenely beautiful arioso, "I Will Sing." she gave a flowing and bright delivery of this psalm of praise, which was tastefully accompanied by the orchestra. In the various recitatives the soloist sang with deliberation and clear vocal utterI ance.

After her expressive and legato reading of the air. "But the Lord." Miss Laura Stone was warmly praised. She was also successful in the recitative,

"And He Journey'd." The tenor recitatives and the cavatina, "Be Thou Faithful/' were effectively sustained by Mr. B. O'Malley. He also joined Mr. Sutherland and the Rev. A. Mitchell in meritorious readings of the duos, "Fcr So Hath the Lord" and "Now We Are Ambassadors."

The titular part on this occasion was allotted to two basses, an unusual proceeding. It is not in accord with the intention of the part or the composer's setting. The Rev. A. Mitchell was heard in a vigorous rendering of "Consume Them All." and was successful in the duo, "We Verily Have Heard" with Mr. Sutherland. The aria, "O God. Have Merc v." was expressively treated by Mr. Sutherland, his solo. "I Praise Thee." would have been better at a faster tempo.

The choir and orchestra of 150 performers gave an exultant delivery of "Lord. Thou Alone Art God." and an agitated and restless performance of the middle portion. "The Heathen Furiously Rage." closing with a jubilant exposition of the finale, '"Now Behold." A declamatory and energetic rendering was given of "Xow This Man,*' and forcibly sung was the tumultuous shout of indignation. '"Take Him Away.'' Dramatically voiced was '"Stone Him to Death, whilst a rich, full tone was displayed in "O Great is the Depth," and the chorus. "Illumine Those Who Blindly Roam, was expressively rendered. Other enjoyablv performed concerted items were: '•How Lovely Are the Messengers." ! "Happy and Blest," and "0 Be Gracious. The chorales were carefully rendered, the ensemble work terminating with a statelv exposition of "Not Only T_nto Him." The "cello obligatos were tastefull v executed by Mr. -J. Palairat.