LITERARY AND MUSICAL COMPETITIONS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13740, 23 May 1910, Page 5

LITERARY AND MUSICAL COMPETITIONS.

FOURTH DAY

The Christchurch Literary and Musical Competition Society's competitions were resumed on Saturday. The morning end afternoon sessions were well attended, and there was a full house at Che evening session, over which Mr Johannes C. Andersen presided. All the instrumental contests have now been decided. A feature of Saturdays competitions was the mezzo soprano contest, which resulted in several very posing interpretations of this beautiful song. At the evening session, in addition to the finals of some of the contest* held during the day, the cenxedictta contest and tho rnnle quartet contest were begun. Although in both instances two items in these contests wore on the programme, the competitors in only one in each contest appeared. Tho results of contests are as iollow:— RECITATIOX FOR LADIES. Tho piece cha3ea lor ladies (fifteen years and liiuier tventy-one years) was "The Seven Fiddlers.' by Sebastian Evans. It is somewhat diilicuit to imagine the reasons that led to the selection of this piece. It i.i certainly' not so happiiv chesen 33 somo of the ether cloruiicnaiy pio.-cs. Tncre ie- a certain amcu at of sboui "The Seven Fiddlers, a lack o( cchtsicn ir. its composition, end, in toiiio aspects, a triviality about it thnt irritates the reader. Eight competitors did their bc3t tr, infuse aomo human interest into the po"ra, but thej hardly succeeded in doing so, although it must bo admitted that the majority made a*, rmch bs possible out of the material st their command. The jurlgo decided to recall Miss Esther M. Doycreaux (Christchureh). Miss il. J Nugent (Wellington), and Miss M. Brevrine (Christchurch). Xhti last mentioned—the youngest 01 the competitors—did very well, and wss noteworthy for her appropriate gestures. At the evoninj session the fina's were decided, and tho judge, in making his award, said:—"lt Eeems rnther hard, but rules must bo respected, aud 1 is:n informed by the comsiiitteo that tho-clever li'.lle s'.rl. Aliss Brewins, i 3 ineligible bqcause eho is uuder 15 years of a-ge. By coma oversight she has entered in a wrong section. By reason of the special talent the'corauiittco allowed her to appear to-night, but not to compete. The winner is apt to talk through her teeth, and tit times to emphasise the unimoortaut prepositions, but she pave an int<j'.lit»ent reading of tho pieco. The sec-ond prize winner had some faulty postures, -.vronsr pauses, ar.d many inappropriate risin.s inficxions, voice a little thin. First, Mi?s Devereux (Christchurch, 134 marks; second, Miss Luko (Wellington), 124." -' MEZZO SOPRANO SOLO. Tho merzo soprano solo—"Rose Softly Blooming" in A (Spoiu;—was ono of tho most enjoyable of the vocal contests so far heard. The song is a beautiful composition, and is wedded to appropriate music, and it gives an opportunity lor the appreciation of light and shade. Twelve competitors essayed its interpretation, at:d, speaking generally, they all showed thnt they Jiad given fonic careful study to the Eong. Tho judge decided -to recall MJ3S Lucy (5. J nines (Dunedin), lti:»s May Newniun (Wellington), Miss Florence J. Paccy (Dunedin). and'jliss Rita Lyons (Wellhifrton). Tha judge, in giving his decision, said:—"This item has l>?en for the most part sung rather too slowly and too coldly. It is a delightful litflo song, but a little more feeling and warmth would have improved most readings. Mise Lyons is evidently suffering; from a severe, cold, ai:d her voice is uiifScndy and off tlia balance, producing a vibrato and faulty ii'.tonntion:— Fint, Miss Newnwn. (Wcllingtoni, IB) marks; second. Miss Paccy (Dunedin). 137; third, Miss Jamc3 (Dunedin), 130." IRISH SOXG. This contest was op™ to either Indies or gentlemen, and of the eight who entered five competed. The given were "Oft in the Stilly Xight," "Kate O'Shanc." "Molly Bawn," "jf all are Young Maidens," unci "The Meeting of tbo Witters." Tbo judge decided to recall Mr Hugh McLcod ("Oft in tho Stilly Njelit"). Mr G. J. Bhickio ("Molly Bawn"), end Miss F. J. Parry ("If all the Yonyrjr Maidens.") In givirg his decision tho. judge said:—"The first prize-winner hno a very pretty light tenor voice, and sang with good feeling. His cnur.cialion is exceptionoily good, but kie tone emission is n little 'breathy' yet; ho is apt to sin,-: on Ihe consonants, an r l he occasionally makes a slip in diction, 'sherinin;;' (finning) to wit. The second prize-winner was rather hampered by her choice of iK>ng, some of her words were ' not.very distinctly hfard.»pd- her Irish, was no,t very canviricirg. The ikird singer hsi3 v. nico 1 light tosorvoice, but his phrasing wa? faulty, und he. rather lacks.feeling, variety and style. Firot, Jfj Blpikio (Dunedia), 137 , marks!; s:ccnd. Miss Pscey (Dunedin), 115; third Mr McLtpd (Ghristchur:l]) p 111. . : ' - PIAXO DUET. Tliis coufesi vrr.» one open to competitors of auy age, aDd th-e four who. entered competed. The tesi pipcn was "Hungarian Unnsrs" Xos. I nnd 2 (Brahms). The judge's decision waa:—First, Misses V.. Curlott" ami A. Muson (Christchurch), 43 marks; second, Misses A. M. Pounsford and J. D. Atkinson (Chrbtcburrh), 27 marks. Mr Barnrtt was of opinion that the duet was beyond the interpretive powers of the competitors. HUMOEOUS SOXG, There were only three competitors in this contest, which, taken as a. whole, was rather disappointing. Mr H. L. Callaway (Belfast) swig "Left Us," Mr K. H. 'Webb (St. Albans) gave "Singers and and Miss F. J. Pacriy (Dun-edin) sang "Just fo/ Once." The judge, in giving fcie award, said :—"The winner played her own cccompariirucnt. and she sang a genuinely humoroue song. Mr Webb, who has distinct ability, was handicapped by his choice of song. First, Miss Pacoy, 129 marks; second, Mr VTebb, 113. PIANO SOLO. Fifteen competed in this contest, tho test piece being "Serenade," Op. 32, No. O'(JenThi? judge's award was:—First, Mifs Vera Itooro (Uuncdin), 58 marks; second, Miss Nelbe Bic-hardson (Linwood), 55 marks, lie also desired to mention honourably Misa Olive Harris (Riohruond) and Miss X. A. Hopkins (St. A!bans). MANDOLIN SOLO. Tho test piece was "•Serecata" (Bellen(rhi), and four out of the five entrants comrieted. The judge decided to recall Mr Leon Sey (Christchurch), Miss K. munton (Opawai, nnd Mr A. J. Pollard (Addington). The judge awarded first prize to Miss K. Baunton, 56 marks, and the second to Mr A. J. Pollard, 44 marks.. • SOPBANO SOLO (SACRED). Five out of tho six entrants in this contest competed. The tent piece wns 'Avo Maria" (Gounod). The judge decided to recall Miss Nellie Rhodes (Amberloy), Miss May Newman ("Wellington), and Miss Kits Lyons (Wellington).. The finals will be decided nest ■Wednesday evening. RECITATION FOR BOYS. "Drake's -Drum," the lest recitation ic.r boys under 15, proved somewhat 100 difficult for most of the competitors. All seven v.-ho entered competed. Tho judge, in giving his decision, said that for. the moet part the competition was- a -most disappointing one, end he was afraid that the boys were not altogether to blame—their teachers evidently had a fundamental misconception of the piece. Tho captain referred to in the poem waa Drake himsolf, lying in his hammock in Nombre Dios Bay a thousand miles away, and not an imaginary captain of a ship, to whom a common sailor was tnlking. There wero only two competitors who troated the poem as though they understood that Henry Newboit, the Devonshire poet, was apostrophising Drake, the Devonshire hero. There was one very delightful performance by a clever boy, Mastor R. T. Vivian (Dunedin) who was easily first with 129 marks. Tho second prize went to Master Alexander Petersen ilnverrargill), who eoored 102 marks. PIANO DT7ET. The piano duet for competitors sixteen years and under waa "Te Vo-glio Bene Assaje" (Bilder nus dem Suden), Op. 39. No. 2 (X. Scharwcnka). and all who entered competed. The judge's award wan:—First, Miusee Gerty Eaton and Audrey Gibson (Christchurch), 43 mark*: seennd, Master F. W. McCaldon and Miss E. M. McCaldon (Christchurch), v ,. 43 jnarks. Of the first prize-winners he naid'that vhey g»vo a spirited performenoe, which would have been improved by more delicacy in the pia.no parts. VIOLIN SOLO. This contest was for competitors under sixteen years of age. and the piece chosen waa "Lo (St. Sataa). There were four competitors. The judge's award was:—First, Master A. V. Weathead (Dunodin). 48 marks; second, Mis 3 Fancy Cole (Christchurch), 33 niarks. PIAXO SOLO. This contest was iox competitors eighteen. rears and under twenry-one years, and tho selection was "Fantaaio-Impromptu" (Op. 66, Chopin). There were only txo competitors, and the judge awarded the first prize to Miss Aiieen Moore (Dunedin). He stated that the performances were fAtisfactory. CX>MEDIETTA. One sei of competitors opened this competition at the evening session with a piece estitied "Ringing the Changes." The performance, taken aa a whole, was not very convincing, but was not so devoid of merit as to prevent ibe audience enjoying it. This contest will bo continued this evening and tomorrow evening. ' QUARTET FOR MALES. This competition opened at the evening: eesEJoE, but . only one out of the • ■ two parties

jicto th-is evening. To-<lay tho competitions will bo resumed at 10 a.m. with the humoror.s recitation for gentlemen, own selection; at 11 a.m.'the contralto soln. 'Thou rt Like a Tender Flower." will commence; ut 11.45 tho vocal duet (for ladies or gentlemen) will commence: at -.15 the prepared spoech contest Avill commence, the subject being "The Advantages <.r "Disadvantages of Compulsory Military Training": at 3 p.m. will commence the humorous recitation l>y ladies, own-selection: at 3.10 the {Scottish song contest will commence. At the evening session a very ' varied programme will be submitted. In addition to the finals of most of the contests held during tho day the following competitions will take place .-—Character •dialogue, drawing-room entertainment, and.a comedietta.