THE LIEDERTAFEL.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17433, 19 April 1922, Page 11

THE LIEDERTAFEL.

j SMOKING COJTOEBT. The smoking concert, which, was given in the Scottish Society's room last night by the Christchurch Liedertafel, waa in everj way worthy of the organisation, and a tribute to the work of the conductor, Mr A. Worsley. After the ringing' of the National Anthem, all present stood while the Leidertafel sang the part song, "The Long Day Closes" (Sullivan), in memory of their late member, Carl Harold Mathieson, who took an active part in the organisation for about twenty years, and was tie first tenor. The part song, "Turkish Drinking Song" (Mendelsohn) was given in a manner that was wholly refined, and that proved thoroughly enjoyable. "O Peaceful' .flight" (German) followed, and was characterised by admirable interpretation and perfect harmony. The big effort of the evening was the part song, '"Song or the Crusaders" (de Bille), whicn had not previously been given by the Lcidertaiel. The voices blended beautifully, and the picoa was presented with true martial and patriotic spirit. It was a splendid piece of work, and roused the audience to enthusiasm. The acoustic properties of' the building, however, had the effect in this, as well as in other numbers, of making the forte passages too harsh. The part song, "Fair Bohtraut" (Yeit) was given with capital effect, being indeed one of the best pieces of evening'. So insistent was the applause that a. repetition had to be given. Another fine effort was "Wine Gives the Lover Courage" (Webbe). A clever composition, "A Musical Jest" (Genee) proved* refreshingly welcome. Given in the form of a finale of an Italian opera, the humorous effect is heightened by the use of words which are all musical expressions. The eolo part was ably taken by Mr T. G. Hogoxfl. The part songs (a) "Evening Song" (Naater), and (b) "The Brook" (Billeter), and "Comitat" (Mendelssohn) completed the evening's woi-k so far as the Leidertafel was concerned. The programme was embellished with a number of vocal items interspersed between the.concerted pieces, all of them being artistically sung and well meriting' the encores they received 1 . Mr J. S. Bowo sang "This Is the Island of Dreams" (Cole-ridge-Taylor), and as an encore "You Lay So Still in the Sunshine" (same composer); Mr Leslie Fleming "Thine Only" (Bohm), with "Rolling Down to Bio" (German), for an encore; Mr Sidney Gilchrist, "The Two Grenadiers" (Schumann), encore "Less than the Dust"; Mr W. J. Trewern, "On Wings of Love" (Mendelssohn), encore "Megan" (Ivan Novello). Messrs B. D. Vincent and' G. E. March gained an encore for their singing of the duet, "Nocturne" (Denza). Beside acting in the capacity of accompanist, Mi L. Lewin contributed with masterly style and execution the pir.no solo, "Prelude and Fugue," from 48, No. 17, Book 1 (Bach), giving in response to sua encore a minuet by Beethoven. '