LIEDERKRANZCHEN CONCERT

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23002, 23 April 1940, Page 6

LIEDERKRANZCHEN CONCERT

* RARELY-HEARD WORKS OF BRAHMS AND MOZART Brahms’s Four Trios for women’s voices, two horns and piano, are seldom heard these days; the two horns are the trouble, and but for the enterprise of the Christchurch Liederkranzchen in securing two players, these delightful trios would have long remained unsung and unheard here. The trios are among Brahms’s early works, written for a women’s choir, which he conducted at one time. The opening notes of the first trio set the ear running on the last movement of the first symphony; the second is a curious setting of “Come Away, Death”; the fourth, “The Death of Trenar,” has all the richness of sound that Brahms can evoke. The choir, under the direction of Mr Alfred Worsley, with music of substance to deal with, gave its best work in these trios. Most of their other part songs were of no great moment; an exception should be made of Herbert Howell’s “The Bells,” a fresh, interesting song, Edward German’s “Beauteous Morn,” and two arrangements by Imogen Holst —“A Peat Fire Prayer,” and a “Somerset Folk Song.” The remainder, “Autumn Days,” by E. T. Davis, "Blackbird’s Song,” by P. C. Buck, “Dartside,” by Hollins, “Bridal Song,” by E. L. Bainton, “On a Faded Violet,” by H. MacCunn, were of that innocuous order beloved by choirs. Nor were some of the extra numbers-—a duet, “Rich Days,” by Harold Greenhill, Landon Ronald’s “O Lovely Night,” and Bemberg’s “Hindoo Song”—of much interest. Mrs I. M. Greenway sang two fine songs by Peter Warlock, “The Pretty Ring Time” and “Passing By.” This second song, in which the singer really found her voice, was sung with real feeling; Mrs Greenway’s good taste in choosing this setting, above the notorious version so wrongly Attributed to Purcell, should be followed by others. . Mrs F. O’Brien sang Schumann’s “Devotion” and Franz’s “Dedication” with musical sense. Miss Lillian Church sang two songs by Cyril Scott, “Prelude” and “The Blackbird’s Song” well enough for the listener to wish that she had essayed nusic of more quality. Mrs J. C. Cullnan accompanied choir and singers; Mrs W. E. Olds and Miss Chapman* ’cellist, provided accompaniments for Mrs R.'E. Voller’s songs. Mr Trevor Hutton, accompanied by Mr Worsley, played the first and second movements of one of Mozart’s lute concertos. Here again, as with the Brahms, the society is to be congratulated for its choice of out-of-the-way music. Mr Hutton played straightforwardly, reaching his purest’ and sweetest tone by the recapitulation of the first movement. Technically, he is very proficient; his unaffected playing did justice to the music. Will the society now persuade Mr Hutton to let us hear some of Handel’s flute sonatas? It is gratifying to record that there was an excellent audience. —F.J.P,