CLASSIC CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 267, 10 November 1937, Page 11

CLASSIC CLUB.

ANNUAL RECITAL HIGH STANDARDS MAINTAINED. In keeping with its high ideals, an ex-J cellent standard, both of performance and choice of numbers, was maintained at the Classic Club s annual recital given in the Lewis kady Hall last evening. On tile vocal side the highlights of the evening were Miss Gwenda Weir's singing' of Verdi's operatic aria, "Pace, Pace;" an appealing performance in which the only blemish was a slightly flat high note on one occasion, and the singing of two Schumann lieder. "The Lotus Flower" and "The Sandman," by Miss Judith Glover. This most promising young mezzo-soprano has a very true vcr.ce, with beautiful quality, while her enunciation is excellent. Tasteful performances were also given by Miss Beryl Smith, who sane "O Love from Thy Power," from Sain-Saen'e "Samson and Delilah," Miss Edna Peace, who displayed some beautiful notes in Gluck's "Ye Powers That Dwell Below," Miss Mavig Beadle, whose light soprano voice was well suited in the operatic scena "Mother. You Know the Story," from Mascagni's "Cavalleria Rusticana," Miss Lilian Kennedy, who sang a contrasted bracket of lieder by Schubert. "Du Bist Wie Ruh" and "Wohnin," the first of which suited her voice better; Mr. J. T. Gibson, who gave sensitive performances of Keel's "Trade Winds," and Cyril Scott's tragic ballad, "Lord Randal"; Mr. A. B. Thompson, whose interpretative powers were displayed to advantage in Stanford's song, "La Belle Sans Merci," and Mr. Henrv Donaldson, who was heard in two old English song«. "Phyllis Has Such Charming Graces" (Young). and Peter Wnrlock's "Yarmouth Fair." The -instrumental numbers played were follows: "Xovelletten." a trio by Gade. n'nved by Mi"** Daphne Hisrham (violin). Mi«s Betty Fenton ('cello), and M r s. Maud Lys.iffht (piano). in which the Lnrflrhetto wns the best played movement: Chopin's '"Mazurka in A Minor." and "Impromptu in F Sharn. Xo. 2." pianoforte solos in which Airs. Sholto Smith displayed a fine touch: two rwanoforte eolos by Alheniz. "Tan?o" aid "Secinidilla." played by Miss Xetta Simich. the •second number receiving the better performance: two Bach numbers. "Chorale: Mortify Us By Thv Grace" and "Fugue From Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue." played bv Miss .Toan Dowdini. a very promising vonng r>innist: "Variations On a Tlfme bv Co'-elli" (Kre'sler). a violin solo in which Miss Tda Lorkwood di"nlayed excellent form. A number of recall items were added to the programme in response to warm anplnuse from a large an' appreciative audience.

The accompaniment* were capablv "lavod bv Me«=dnm~= Maud L.vsfrht and Sholto Smith, and Messrs. Alan Pow and Owen Jensen.