MALE VOICE CHOIR.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16704, 12 December 1919, Page 12

MALE VOICE CHOIR.

I 1 j Good or bad .is the democratic plebiscite may lx» in its acting upon our music, such a progTCflsivo body tlio Male Voico Choir wsd suro to Rive its patrons an opportunity of sharing onco in a season tho onus of program mo-making, and, at tho same time, get an insight into the mysteries of mimical taste. Whether it was owing to a mate of languorous enjoyment, from which tho audienco refused to be rouoed at the hist conoorls, when tho voto wan taken, or from the want of that inndispcnsablo implement, tho pencil, from tho data supplied by tho linn, and live secretary, Mr H. Blakeley, it appears that only a quarter of thore present exercised their rights. A scrutiny of tho list of music finding preference, maltos always ! interesting reading. As on this occa&ion, so generally those works disclose t lie largest numbers of admirers which appeal most strongly hy the sentiment of (he words, and are sot to familiar melody. There was only good music to choose from, and therefore the felection could not err very much. Still, sorno of tlw numbe;s might well be shelved for a white, such as tho "Soldiers' Chorus." tho Brahms's "Lullaby," and "0 Sanctisnima." That /or a repetition the part 6ongs demanded would undrrirn a new ntrl th'irotigh refining under Dr. Bradshaw's eearching eye, could be snfelv nntiripated, Co.eudtf!f-Tay-lor'® noblo "Viking Son;?" furnishing ut once a. convincing [iroo:. In "Hueh Tho?, My liable," tho Cathedral boys tang better, with inoro beauty of tone, than on former occasion'. Von- finely were given the choral parti to Stanford's songs. A rertiiin hardness of tone, not to bo confounded with a cWiroble sonority, marred in place* Spoffcrth's "Hail, Smiling Morn." Sullivan's , "Tho Long Day Closes," already noted for ! artistic and delicacy of treatment. Brahm'fl "Lullaby," the unavoidable "Soldiers' Chora?" from "Fau«t," "Tho Gosling*,' and Abl* "Laughing' were also included in the programme, and "0 Sanctia--Bimn" rdded" as an rneore. To Mr Chatle* Clarkson w*s paid the compliment, fully deserved, of registering tbo highest score in the voting with Standford'« "Songs of tho Fleet," and recuring a formidable phalanx of admirers with the same author's "Songs of the Sea." Under this inspiration he instilled a vigour and fire into last night's rehearsal that proved exhilarnting to a degree, and brought him veritable storms of applause. In Mrs J. A. Roscwarne wo made tlie acquaintance of an accomplished singer, following good models, who not only fcola what she sings, but understands the art of clearly directing her changing emotions. Her voico is pure, and most syniDatliolic. particularly in its finer tints. The Aria from Debussy's "L'Enfunt Prodiguc," BrahinVi "Sapphic Ode," suid" "Happy Song' stood to her highest credit. indebted, in turn, to Mr-> LivingstoneV. finished accompaniments. [ The "Lvrio Four." aj M'*.*rs S. J. Morgan, I H. Ulakeiey. K. More, and K. J. Johnson are styled. contributed with careful and pleasing grading of tone and good harmony "Toll Me, Babbling Echo," and with tcndcroes; and refinement "Bye, Baby, Bye." Tho Choral Jlall was full, ami thirsting for cncores more than ever. On Saturday liighi the same pro-finnimo will be repeated before the f*yond section oi their subscribe's, who can only bo accommodated by this method.