HARMONIC SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19917, 2 May 1930, Page 17

HARMONIC SOCIETY.

A VERY CON€J^T^

Last night, the Harmonic r Society, "in full muster, presented, ( under th« .baton of Madame Josephine-Ottjee, l -programme well selected, and skilfully directed. The • part consisted' oi part songs, unquestionably far -abov« oratorio, the best medium for artastu choir-traming, "for they require almost as much refinement and tonal varia .tions ■as the -solo-song. • .Madame Utt lee is well aware of these, opportuni ties and acta accordingly.'with mud .taste. The "Hymn to. Music," bj Dudley Buck, a well-wxitteri, part song, illustrated the flexibility „ ii tonal effects acquired by the- choir, {i Herbert Crimp's "Drums of Freedom' Mr G. J V. Greer recited the solo-pan with fair, enunciation, appropriate delicacy distinguished the singing o Brahms's" Cradle Song, agreeably con trusted by the old North Country Hunting fc>oiig, "John capitally performed with the requisite swing The hymn, "Abide with Me,", was another beautiful production, support od at the orgtta as in the "Hymn oi Music'' with fine control'and taste bj Mr Melville Lawry. ' Coleridge Tajf lor's "Onaway, Awake" was expressively given by 'Mr James Shaw, whc ultimfttely worked up to- fine- powei as 'The Captain of His Soul." Toe many * cooks had been at Strauss'* "Blue Danube," which Miss Marjoru Alexander, .played in .brilliant stylo Weber's "Noto Continuo" she overdttl in speed. The second part brought' Edward German's "Weary- England" in concert form, most reliably iu its choral parts and with an. imposing . tonevolume.. There a great *jal more depends upon the many soMsts. "Jill" was ably represented by Miss Marjorie Nelson. Mr Douglas Suckling's "Raleigh" came to better effect, than at first, in —When True liOve".and in subsequent parts. Very piood in voice and declamation was Mr J. L. Tctonent's "Essex," the' "Bessie" found an admirable representative in "Mrs Ralph Drayton. But the lady-soloists were all fascinating, the" "Queen Elisabeth*.' of-Miss Nancy Bowden'no less than her companions. The men- employed in more or less restricted parts and in concerted . numbers acquitted themselves creditably. They were the "Lone; Tom" of Mr Cvril Jenkin. Mr Greer's "Taylor," Mr A. Couch's "Baker," Mr Ralph Drayton's ♦"Tinker," and Mr' C. U. Richard's "Butcher."- There is plenty of humour to be found in • "Merrie. England" 88 portrayed and an abundance of always pleasing and at times vary beautiful music.- ;.. ~■»..--.- '. • ;' Miss Blanche ..Atkinson deserves - great credit for excellently supporting accompaniments.' " ■ , 'To Madame J ' Josephine; Qjbtlee "higtj honours are due Above all.;* the ductor's desk,has become quite familiar to her. •