THE HARMONIC SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20103, 5 December 1930, Page 20

THE HARMONIC SOCIETY.

A SUMPTUOUS PROGRAMME

Before they sing a note the Harmonic Society, by their ladies, of course, bribe their patrons with a brilliant display of beauty and colours on the stage. The delectable programme of part-songs they again prepared for last night's concert, under Madame Ottlcc's able direction, found, therefore, a good-tempered and receptive audience. Edward German's quaint "London Town" was placed at the head, and smartly sung, tlio men rather on the rough side, as again they were in "The Camel's Hump," by tho same author. A little sentiment would not come amiss. Eaton Fanning's "Moonlight," however, was irreproachably done in its gentler mood. Mr G. V. Greer sang his tenor solos pleasantly and with taste. With laurels yet freshly plucked from the examination room, the youthful Miss .Joan Boniface played her piano solos dexterously, and with absolute confidence, and lior encore, .John Ireland's "Magic Spell," proved her also capable of good tone production. She is clever, and, if not, spoiled by undue adulation, should develop into ;t good musician. Both the beautiful madrigal, "All in a Garden Fair," under a new arrangement, and Cyril Jenkins's part-song, "Three Choral Pictures," were delivered in their best style, especially tho last, finishing the first part,. Resuming, a Dorsetshire ballad, "King Arthur," made a very good and effective number, and one of tho most interesting and characteristic part-songs was Edward Elgar's "Spanish Serenade " which has caught tho national spirit. In mezzo-soprano solos Mrs Graham Jamieson displayed a very good and sympathetic voice, and, like in "Ettric" and "Danny Boy," real warmth of feeling. Then tho ladies' voices were heard singing very daintily tho "Galway Piper," and descending to a too rarely-found pianissimo. Very beautiful sounded the double quartet from Elijah, "Ho Shall Give His Angels Charge," Mesdames Salkeld, Kerr, and tho Misses Duff and Chamberlain, the men, Messrs Greer, Cook, Richards, and Jenliin, all splendidly at home in their task. Charles Wood's "Full Fathom Five," a clever work, and the humorous "Old Farmer Buck," very suitable for the male species, can be receipted with full praise. A choral adaptation of Gounod's "Faust," containing most of its favourite tunes, was tho final and luxurious gift, very brightly given in the choruses, Miss Sylvia Angus, particularly, and Miss Leila Black and Mr Ernest Johnston as able soloists. The accompaniments were played by Miss Blanche Atkinson in well-finished style and good taste. The concert will bo repeated to-mor-row evening.