FINAL CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 271, 15 November 1935, Page 3

FINAL CONCERT.

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR.

INTERESTING PROGRAMME. A programme of well-contrasted numbers was presented by the Royal Auckland Choir at its third and final concert, which was held in the Town Hall last evening. Except for an occasional lapse in intonation, the work of the choristers was quite up to their usual standard of performance, while the tone of the basses throughout was particularly good. An impressive start was mado with Gounod's "Hymn to Apollo," preceded by an extemporisation on its theme played by Dr. Thomas on the grand organ. The opening words, "Great God of Song, of Melody, Creator!" were delivered with a fine body of sound and the complete work was sung with artistic regard for light and shade. Hatton's well-known part-song, "Softly Fall the Shades of Evening," was beautifully expressed, the tone of the first tenors, in particular, being exceptionally sweet and true. Another song by Hatton, "Good-bye, Sweetheart, Good-bye," sung by Mr. ,T. McDougall, with an effective boucho fermee accompaniment given by the choir, was much enjoyed by the audience, and an encore was demanded and given. While Mr. McDoupjall's diction was excellent, liis interpretation was rather matter-of-fact. A fine climax was made in the "Chorus of Bishops and Priests," arranged by Dudley Buck, from Meyerbeer's "L'Africaine." In response to warm applause, a devotional rendition of the hymn, "Eternal Father, Strong to Save,' was then given as a recall number.

Excerpts from Dr. Thomas' oratorio, "The Natiyity," followed. In this the society was assisted by two soloists. Miss Winifred .Johnson (contralto) and Mr. J McDougall (tenor), also by a "selected ladies' choir," whose dresses—there wcie , same dazzling and vivid creations—made a bright display, but not altogether in keeping with sacred oratorio. Owing to a somewhat overweignly organ accompaniment, tho voice of the sing-r was barely hoard in the opening te;iur recitative," "And behold," iiiiil there a|> peered to be a considerable lack of cohesion in the first two verses of the chorus, "Veni, veni, Emanuel." Howave:-, tne third verse—eung in unison—was goud, and there was a better understanding in tho chorus, "On mountain heights," although tlic men's voices hold dominance throughout. In this performance, Dr. Thomas played the organ, while Mr. Eric Bell bea,, time. Two very delightful numbers were the part songs, "Stars of the Summer Night" (Hatton) and "The Elf Man" (Gibsoa), although the intonation in the latter was not always perfect. Dudley Buck s "On the Sea" was attacked with vim and sung with commendable breadth. In response to applause, the humorous number, "The Pussy Cat and the Owl," was added, but this rendition suffered through the first tenors being somewhat flat. A rollicking chorus, "Captain Kidd" (Murchisou), sung with great gusto, brought the programme to a close, and the concert ended with an expressive performance of a recall number, "O Sorrow Not." The assisting vocalists were Mrs. A. Rattray (soprano) and Mr. William Gcmmcll (baritone). Mr. GeinmeU, whose programme number was Elgar's "Pipes of Pan," was unable to do himself justice owing to the handicap of a severe cold. Nevertheless, he was recalled and gave an additional number, which—owing to a lapse in memory— had to be delivered in two instalments. Mrs. A. Rattray and i Mr. Gemmell were associated in the duet, "Flow Gently Deva" (Parry), in which there were some vagaries of pitch. The duetists were more successful, perhaps, in their recall number, "The Keel Row," in which they were well suited. An instrumental interlude was provided by the performance of two movement's from a string quartet, composed by Dl. Thomas. These were both melodious and harmonious and were well played by Miss Helen Gray (first . violin), Miss Moya Cooper-Smith ( second violin), Miss Amy Stevenson (viola) and Miss Jean Clarkson ('cello), who displayed an excellent quality of tone and a well-balanced enI semble. The musical director was Dr. W. _. Thomas and the accompanists Miss Merlyn Morris and Mr. Eric Bell.