"THE MESSIAH."

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19806, 19 December 1929, Page 16

"THE MESSIAH."

ROYAL MUSICAL SOCIETY. "Messiah," composed in 1741, has nearly completed the second century of its unrivalled bold on Christianity. It has thus established a record beyond compare. Through ail these years, in hundreds of churches and concert rooms each Christmas it has proclaimed and glorified the _ Christian ideal in words and music of rare eloquence and beauty. Bach's ''St. Matthew's Passion" is the only other survivor and rival of the period, but the Englishspeaking world has so far remained faithful to the work that never failed to touch their hearts. Will its appeal last ? According to Sir Henry Wood it is declining in English provincial centres, where it had long been useful for financial repairs to languishing choral societies. Let us hope for an early revival! ifr W. H. Dixon lias no doubt found his great harvest of new voices rather embarrassing with the short period left him for preparation of the •Messiah.'' How often did he forbear to tell them that "all like sheep have gone astray"? Fortunately a solid phalanx of "Messiah'' experts was also ready at his command. And so it happened that after all the I Choir came out of the ordeal with flvmg colours. The choruses were taken very smartly and faithfullv producing a strone rmginn; tone with few es ° cesses, little hesitation, and obedient to the conductor's baton. Partitula.lv noteworthy were the choruses. w \nd the Glorv of the Lord." "Glorv to~th« Lord,' Mho is the King of"Glorv," Hallelujah chorus Worthy 13 the Lamb," and the final.> f.nd thanks are due to Mr Dison for strenuous ind successful work under threat pressure of time. His tempos.

though sometimes daring, are alwavs exhilarating. The orchestra, again with the friendly services of Mr and Mrs Bate and Professor Savini, proved very reliable and competent. In some of the accompaniments, notably in "Thou that Tellest,'' they were not reticent enough in conjunction with the solovoice. and in general, lighter shades would often be preferable. The oratorio makes ample provision for soloists of all types. A cast of aimost unknown singers had been chosen, with the exception of the tenor. Mr Arnold Perry, an excellent, emotional singer, heard before, who is again entitled to unstinted praise, as regards nlso tonal production and enunciation. T^ ,e voice of the soprano, Miss Gladys Brook, where it avoids an occasional sudden straining on the highest notes and certain vowels, is very charming and flexible as it 'was shown in those great airs <r ßejoice Greatly" and "1 Know that My Redeemer Liveth," surely the gem of all. The alto of Miss Freeman-Brown ipakes a sympathetic impression. She sings with feeling, but has not vet acquired uniform fullness in its compass. She was at her best in "H«? Shall Feed His Flock." From the first Mr R. J. Woodward,* the bass, seemed to sing with an effort, and after his first solos the voice broke down. He would be well advised not, as he does, lower his head upon his book, which unfavourably affects the production. Soloists should be fairly independent of their books and hold them open merely as a kind of accident insurance. Mr R. Ohlsen is to be commended for his trumpet solo, and the organ accompaniments of Mrs J. ERussell are not to be forgotten m bestowing praise. Again the breaks for the sake of expected applause are to be condemned. A very large audience attended the performance and used the intervals left as was expected they should.