LIEDERTAFEL

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23299, 8 April 1941, Page 4

LIEDERTAFEL

“AT HOME”

The Christchurch Liedertafel were “at home” to members and friends at the Winter Garden last evening. The society had prepared a programme of part songs, songs, and, a rare treat, had engaged for us a string quartet to play the first of the six quartets that Mozart dedicated to Haydn. Mr Victor Peters conducted, the choir through familiar music, Lachner's “Warrior’s .Prayer,’*. Kunze’s “Serenade,” Hatton’? “Whfen; Evening's Twilight ■Gathers Round,” the negro spiritual, ;! ‘ SjVttjg Dow, Siyeet Chariot, ” the Aus. Matilda’ pwd ythat: we' had a, New Zealand jimtfeMn ,ofe, this breed I —and', a rifiwICpmerjCwiTFQrsyih’e descriptive, partSohg; ; “'trie Bill-Map.” .. None of,'this music .was, pf ;4reat 'moment,, but ell of it Was pleasant enough to while away an evening.: : The Choir certainly sang pleasantly and tunefully; they can turn a gentle pattfsong about the evening twilight as prettily as anyone. Times are difficult. for, pew. music, to be got, but another ;number as virile and as substantial as “To The Sons of' Art," which the choir sang splendidly, would have been welcome. In this last, a quartet, Messrs C. R. Williamson, HI D. Vincent; A. E. Hobbs, and A. L.'Gropp, took part.. The, solo songs were a mixed lot. ‘.‘Have You Seen. But a White Lily Grow,” and Handel’s “Silent Worship.” were agreeably sung by Mr C, R. Williamson, as Was Colerldge-Tay-lor’s “Thou Art Risen, My Beloved,” as Suhg by Mr K. P. Cochran. . Franz Lehar’s, ‘‘Oh Maiden, My Maiden,” may have a place on some programme, but coming, as it did, before the Mozart quartet, it set the teeth on edge. Mr A. E. Hobbs sang "For England” and finally Mr Worsley’s “Parting Song” was given.

Mesdames K. Ballantyne, J. Hr E, Schroder, K. Robinson, and Miss Nancy Estall, played Mozart’s Quartet in G major, K385. This quartet of players has made a decided step forward since its first appearance in public but a year ago. They gave a good account of the music, which is heaven-sent if any music is. Their playing had clarity and was supple. There were some fine moments in the slow, movement from all four players, when they have played the remaining quartets, of the set, and let us hope the Liedertafel Society will encourage them to do so, they may give us jnore of the radiance of the first movement, the tension of the last. The repeats in the Minuetto and Trio can almost be spared, but not that in the final movement. Will other societies follow suit and give us more chamber music? There is no lack .of players.