DORIAN CHOIR.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 218, 15 September 1939, Page 3

DORIAN CHOIR.

BRAHMS' "GERMAN REQUIEM."

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE.

The Auckland Dorian Choir last night gave the second concert of its season in the Lewis Lady Hall. Tile main feature was the performance of the "German Requiem of Brahms. In this moving work the choir gave a most fervent and impressive rendition. The opinion might be expressed, however, that an even more favourable impression would be created it* the members ot the choir occasionally would lilt their eyes from the score and not so seemingly ignore the graceful gestures and expiessive fingers of their j conductor. Here, it might he observed! that the choir is extremely fortunate to have tor its musicai director such a widely expei ion ted conductor as Mr. Albert Bryant. Mr. Bryant, who has the inestimable advantage of having made a special study ot choral conducting in Germany. is generally known as a most sensiti\e musician. At the same time some of the credit tor the success of the performance should be ascribed to the tasteful accompaniments provided bv the Vincent Aspey String Quartet and Mrs. R. Reed, which enhanced considerably the manifold beauties ot the work; also to the soloists, Miss Julie W llhams and Mr. Thomas Ellison.

Ihe second half of the programme was devoted mainly to choral works of a more •popular appeal. The standard of singing in these was such as might be expected soloists n enSemble composed of leading

One of the artistic highlights of the evening was provided by the Vincent Aspej String Quartet. This evenly-bal-anced combination played with excellent tone and pleasing expression chamber music excerpts from the compositions of Gretry, Haydn and Mozart— most enjoyable performances.

Mrs. R. Reed's pianoforte accompanisingers Were ' USUaI ' 3 gFeat help to the