THE LIEDEUTAFEL

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22271, 9 December 1937, Page 9

THE LIEDEUTAFEL

SOME FINE PART-SINGING Many new voices resound nowadays round Hie tables of the Christchurch Licdortafcl, for the younger generation of male altos, tenors, and basses is obviously being given its chance to shine both in solo work and part singing. But, fortunately, many of the “old hands” who have bulll up the choir arc still in the singing ranks, and they take a just pride in Hie work of the choir, which last night presented its two hundred and eighty-fourth concert. Under the conductorship of Mr Victor C. Peters, the circle has taken on a new lease of life. Moreover, it seems to have taken a good look at its library for new songs, or else it has done a Utile wise overseas research. The best performance last night was “The Old Woman” (.Robcrlon). In this unaccompanied part-song the choir developed a beauty of tone seldom hoard in Christchurch. The air is simple; but the Licdcrtafcl made it the highlight of a good programme. Next in order for commendation were “Smugglers’ (Edmonds) and the llnal item, “Tally Ho” (Lconi) —two excellent examples of co-ordination and conductorship. Of the soloists, Mr J. Y. Wilson gave a good presentation of Bach’s "Good Fellows Be Merry.” His is comparatively a newcomer to the circle, but as a baritone soloist and part-singer he should be of value. Mr R. Allison sang Turnbull Tipton’s “A Spirit Flower” excellently; Mr Thorpe Cherry, light tenor, “made” the atmosphere in Del Ricgo’s “The Green Hills of Ireland,” and Mr J, H. Lavender, with Schumann's “I Will Not Grieve.” found his young bass voice well suited. Apart from the vocal work there were ’cello solos by Mr Francis Bate — well known to Christchurch audiences. His items were “Two Romances” (Schumann) and “Abendlied” (Schumann). The choir’s policy of introducing an instrumental soloist is a wise one. and the audience showed its pleasure unmistakeably. Other part-songs and songs with soloist worthy of mention were: “You Gentlemen of England” (Dunhill). Lang’s “Remember. O Thou Man.” “Dr. Foster” (Hughes), “Fol Dol Do” (Armstrong Gibbs), “Down in Alabama" (Edmonds), “Two Grenadiers” (Schumann). and McDowell's “Cradle Song.” Mr J. E. Mason was the soloist in the Scottish air .“Loch Lomohd.” a Vaughan Williams arrangement. While the solo work was excellent, the choir introduced an occasional effective descant. Mr Mason has the voice for this typo of work. As with all choral societies, the first half was vocally stiff in parts; pitch was occasionally lacking. But in the second half of the programme the circle became much more harmonious, and reached the fine standard of some of the performances remembered by subscribers of many years’ standing. Particularly noticeable was the work of Mr M. T. Dixon, accompanist, who has the rare ability to keep the piano subservient to the singers, yet building them up and assisting valuably in all accompanied work.