MALE VOICE CHOIR

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21967, 16 December 1936, Page 3

MALE VOICE CHOIR

GLEES AND PART SONGS

CONCERT IN RADIANT HALL

An interesting programme of glees and part songs, with unison songs by the Cathedral choristers, vocal and piano solos, was presented by the Christchurch Male Voice Choir in the Radiant Hall last evening. This was a request programme. The choir was in good form, giving to all the music firmness and sureness. There was precision and accent almost machine-like in quality, and while this was very suitable in many instances it took away some of the charm and delicacy of compositions—for instance, in the Brahms lullaby. The opening part song, "Creation Hymn" (Beethoven), and Cooke's "Strike the Lyre" were splendidly given, with full, sonorous tone. "Sweet Love for Me" (Stanford) made an excellent contrast. "Songs of the Sea," also by Stanford, gave Mr Charles Clarkson opportunity to show his quality as interpreter. His legato work in the first number, "Homeward Bound," was very pleasing. "Song of the Sea Pirates" (Bantock) was full of life, and made a fine ending to the first part of the programme. Mr D. H. Law's solo, "Lend Me Your Aid" (Gounod) was given good dramatic treatment. His fine tone was marred by a too noticeable tremolo. The guest soloist was Mrs Rhys Morgan. She sang "None but the Lonely Heart" (Tschaikowski) and "We Sway Along" (Mallinson) with excellent tone, but kept, in the Tschaikowski song, too constant a tone-thickness. In the second part she sang songs by Delius and York Bower, but made the best effort with her encore, "Devotion" (Strauss). Piano solos played by Mr Noel Newson, "L'alouette" (Glinka-Balakiref) and "Bohemian Dance" (Smetana), were greatly appreciated. He also played as a second encore a Chopin Study in C major. Unison songs by the Cathedral choristers were "Violets" (Cornelius), "Hark, Hark, the Lark" (Schubert), and "The Bells of Aberdovey" (arr. Watford Da vies). These were all well sung, some soft effects in the last song being especially pleasing. Solo parts were taken by Oswald Abbott. A madrigal, "All Creatures Now" (John Benet), one of the most interesting items of the evening, was, strangely enough, the least appreciated by the audience. Schumann's "Summer Song," with its "sweeter" quality and "effects," proved a great favourite. An arrangement of "Drink to Me Only," by Coleman, was very well sung, the solo part being taken by Mr E. Rogers. The traditional song "The Farmers' Daughters" (arr. Gerrard Williams) and "The Frog" (Ernest Newton) completed the work of the choir. Mr L. Clarke, baritone, sang a recitation and aria by Handel, "O Jove! What Land is This?" His voice had good quality, but he was not quite convincing enough in this dramatic music. His encore, "Sigh No More, Ladies" (Keel), was better suited to his style. Mr Noel Newson played the accompaniments for the soloists, giving excellent support. Dr. Bradshaw conducted the choir and also accompanied the Cathedral choristers.