MOST SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21445, 10 April 1935, Page 8

MOST SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

#• LIEDERTAFEL'S FOURTH PROGRAMME CHOIR p IN FINE FORM '. In. spite of the full evening kit of the performers, and the minute attention to the details of the concert platform, there is a cheerful atmosphere of informality about the concerts of the Christchurch Liedertafel that has made J them among the most interesting and popular of the regular musical programmes of the city. In great measure, this atmosphere comes from the obvious enjoyment of all the performers in their work, a pleasure that communicates itself at once to the audience, and puts each individual listener in the frame of mind proper to the most pleasant reception of entertainment. . The concert in the Radiant Hall last evening- the fourth for this season, was another great success. The programme was well chosen, the choir items being admirably interspersed by solo items contributed by members and artists drawn from outside. The evenins opened with two partsongs by J. L. Hatton, "When Ev'ning Twilight," and "The Sailor's Song," or which the choir made the most in colour and expression. Mr R. Allison was then-heard in two songs, the first of- which, "The Lover's Wish" (Allitsen), suffered rather from the enthusiasm of the accompanist. The choir was at its best in the descriptive part song "Sunrise" (Julius Reitz), which was sung with the greatest artistry, and which brought out the full beauty of a male voice choir.

Among the most appreciated of the evening's items were the piano soli bv Mr Noel Newson, who was at the top of his very fine form. His first piece was the Glinka-Balakirew "L'Alouette," which he played with the greatest delicacy of expression. His encore was particularly enthusiastically received. A Norwegian glee. "Hardanger" (Kjerulf), next occupied the choir, and gave full play to the fine resonance that the combination has achieved. Two songs of Hermann Lohr were sung by Mr S. C. Andrews, who was in his best voice, especially in the second of the two, which delighted the audience. He sang with great artistry. The first half of the programme concluded with the aria and Pilgrim's Chorus from "Tannhauser," Mr F. C. Penfold taking the solo part. The solemn chorus was sung surely and confidently by the choir. Mr R. Allison led the chorus in tne opening number of the second part, "Song of the Imp," a most -successful effort, of which the audience demanded more. Mr P. A. Caithness made many friends with his interpretation of Tsehaikowsky.'s popular "To the Forest." and his hearers demanded an encore Two old Swedish national melodies, "Dear Land of My Fathers," and "The Patriot," occupied the choir, and gave it every opportunity to show its skill. Mr Newson selected three Rachmaninoff preludes for his second contribution, and by his artistic playing won his audience. Probably the most popular item from the choir during the evening was "The Bell Man" (Cecil Forsyth), a part song that was acclaimed most enthusiastically. Few basses in Christchurch have a voice to equal that of Mr J. L. Tennent, who was heard at his best in a Handel song, "Droop Not, Young Lover." The final chorus was the duet and chorus from "H.M.S. Pinafore," "Kind Captain, I've Important Information."