STAINER'S "CRUCIFIXION."

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17429, 13 April 1922, Page 11

STAINER'S "CRUCIFIXION."

AT THE CATHEDBAL. Since 1916 Bach's St. Matthew's P«?sion music had replaced Stainer's "Crucifixion ■at the Cathedral during Easter week. Wisely this year, in Dr. Bradahaw's absence, the choir shrank from presenting a work e<> eminently difficult, and elected to return to the "Crucifixion" of which the first presentation took place last night. Bearing in mind that it had practically to bo studied anew by the choir on this occasion, under l tbe caro of the Precentor, the Rev. H. Jones, the performance, last night was most credit-a-olci and impressive, its quiet, soothing beauty making perhaps a stronger appeal, upon the congregation, than the greater work. As in years gone, by, Mr R. D. >mcent and Mr S. Hawker wero once more joined as soloists, the minor bass- parts being taken by Mr Warren. As regards the choral ! work by the choir, "Fling- Wide the- Gates, ! which, with the chorus, -"From the Throne i of His Cross," form the most exalted part ! of the meditation, was sung with great beauty 1 of tone and touching expression, tho voices wall blended, and oven the high notes or tho sopranos moro than usually satisfactory. The quartet, "God so Loved tho World, aiao excelled in its soft harmonica, and later on the hymn, "I Adoro Thee." The flexibility of hia voice and perfection oi his enunciation placed Mr it. "• Vincent's interpretation of the tenor sou on a high footing, and the reverential expression left nothing,- to be desired. Mr S. Hawker's_ bass soli showed him as ever tfle conscientious, reliahlo singer and musician, but who could well attempt to mako Ins 'delivery les3 uniform and more elastic Mr Warren's voice is -hardly strong enough for the largo building, but his recitation was very good. At tho organ, Miss Black proved herself efficient, if, perhaps, too reticent. The second reading of the "Cruci3rion'_ ■will be givco to-morrow evening at 7.30 o'ciook.