MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 198, 22 August 1930, Page 9

MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Choral Concert,

TWO BIG AUDIENCES.

CHILDREN'S FINE SINGING.

CHORAL SOCIETY SUCCESS.

Only 011 rare occasions is the Auckland Town Hall filled at two concerts in one day, and rarely does tlie public show tho enthusiasm that marked both performances given yesterday in connection with Music Week. In the afternoon there was a fine programme by the choirs of the Auckland Catholic schools, and in the evening the Auckland Choral Society and the Bohemian Orchestra combined, under the baton of Mr. Colin Muston, to give one of their most successful concerts in recent years. A further feature of the day's programme was the Auckland Academic Club's performance in the Lewis Eady Hall. As a proof of the popularity of massed singing, the Catholic schools' concert was convincing. The Town Hall was crowded. The spirited singing of the children and the rich quality of their united voices were suggestive of real musical talent, and there was evidence of sound training in all they did. In Moreno's "Ad'oro 'Te Devote," the opening number, the massed choir was heard with striking effect, and again, in tho Gregorian chant, "Kyric Eleison," the singing was a delight. This was followed by orchestral selections by the Sacred Heart College Orchestra, under Mr. 11. Engel, which gave four numbers during the concert. The first was the march, "Just For Fun," bracketed with a pleasing arrangement of Sullivan's operatic gems. ~ Nassann's march, "Connecticut," and a selection from Verdi's "II Trovatore" were played later. The choir of St. Joseph's Convent, Grey Lynn, gave an impressive rendering of Zandonai's "Ave Maria," and Miss Mavis Grevatt, achieved a signal success in the harp solo, "La Dance Des. Sylplies." Two strikingly different choruses, "Cargoes," and "Ti prego, 0 Madrc Pja," were well sung by the pupils of Sacred Heart Convent, Remuera, and a pianoforte duo, "The Blue Danube," was played with youthful skill by pupils of St. Benedict's Convent, Newton. "The Boatman's Song," a rollicking chorus by the boys of Marist Brothers' School, Vermont Street, was the concluding item of the first part of the programme. The massed chorus, "Joyful Echoes," was the opening item of the second half, and was followed by two selections from Wagner, "0 Star of Eve," and "Pilgrims' Chorus," played by instrumentalists from St. Mary's College. The "Pilgrims' and Crusaders' Chorus" from Verdi, was sung effectively by the senior pupils of the Sisters of St. Joseph. / St. Peter's College, Northcote, contributed two popular Maori songs, "Arolia Mai" and "Waiata Maori," and two vocal octets, "Lead Kindly Light," and "Springtime," were ably sung by St. Mary's College pupils. The pianoforte duo by SaintSaens, "Carnival des Animaux," by pupils of St. Joseph's Convent, and a massed chorus, "God Defend New Zealand," concluded the programme. The Rev. Brother Henrick conducted the choirs and Miss N. Orpiond was acconu panist'.

Last night's performance .by the Choral Society and the Bohemian Orchestra was a musical feast, and was attended by a large gathering of musiclovers. ;It opened with a picturesque rendering of Weber's overture to "ObcroiiMendelssohn's choruses from Haydn's chorus "The Heavens are Telling," from "Creation," the choral number "Tc Deum" (Sullivan), in which the Artillery Band assisted, and Handel's "Hallelujah" chorus, all received an inspiring performance. Verdi's "Sake," from "Othello," was artistically treated by Miss Kate Campion, who also gave extra solos. Mr. Frank Sutherland distinguished.himself in his singing of "The Calf of Gold," from Gounod's "Faust," and had to give extra solos. Liszt's second Rhapsody was brilliantly played by Mi:s. R. A. .Singer and the orchestra, and a graphic performance was given of Tbhaikowsky's "1812" overture by the Bohemian Orchestra and? the Artillery Band. Mr. Colin Muston conducted arid Miss Whitclaw led the orchestra.

Academic Club

Mozart's overture "The Magic Flute," the opening selection of the Academic Club's concert in the Lewis Eady Hall, was a fine piece of orchestral work. The duet "Serenade in Summer," by Mesdames - Sadgrove and Mttir, the pianoforte solo Chopin's "Berceuse," by Mrs. Wilson, the violin solo Mendelssohn's "Allegro Molto Appassionato," by Mr. W. Morris, with an orchestral accompaniment, and the pianoforte duet Sliubert's. "Divestissement a la Hongroise," by Misses Joyce Hewitt and Veronica Pope, were all highly appreciated. Mrs. Joan Craig contributed two enjoyable songs, "Snowflakes" and Eriskay's love lilt "Song of the Hebrides," and two items, "London Town" and "Posy," Were sung by the Academic Club Choir. A pianoforte duet, Beethoven's "Polonaise," by Miss ,C. Winthrop and Mrs. Ford, pianoforte solos from Mendelssohn and Chopin by, Miss Marjorie Smith, a quartet; "May Morning," by Mesdames Sadgrove, Bentley, Muir and Simmonds, a piano concerto, Chopin's Rondo, Opus 11, and the pianoforte quartet "Spinning Song" (Wagner-Liszt), by Misses L. Vickery, Ida Withers, Mrs. Wynn and Miss May Knight, were pleasing, numbers on the programme. Mrs. Joan Craig and Miss B. Thompson sang effectively the ■ duet "I Heard a Voice," and of special interest were the two songs "Ships" and "Eily Aroon," from the works of the local composer, Mary'Brett, in which Mr. William J. Garratt achieved a notable success.

Maori Concert To-night,

The, Maori concert'to be given by tlie boys and girls of St. Stephen's and Queen Victoria schools in the Town Hall this evening is the outstanding feature of to-day's programme. This afternoon a demonstration of Dalcroze curythmics is being. giv,en in the Lewis Eady Hall by Miss Beryl Whistler. To-morrow evening. Musie . Week will conclude with a performance by the Auckland Municipal Band. . ; , - ' • : Community singing in; the Town Hall to-day was conducted by the' officials of the, Y.W.C.A. Mr. Vernon Drew was song leader.