CHORAL MUSIC

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25226, 3 July 1947, Page 3

CHORAL MUSIC

RECITAL AT CANTERBURY COLLEGE

Conducted by Mr C. Foster Brdwne, the’ choirs of the Christchurch Cathedral and of ttye Royal Christchurch Musical Society provided a most interesting programme of choral works for their recital at Canterbury University College on Tuesday. The Cathedral choir’s first group consisted of seven unaccompanied polyphonic examples from the sixteenth century. Much more music of this sort might find a frequent hearing in Christchurch. It is of the finest kind, and the composers had impeccable taste in their choice of texts to bei set. Dowland, Farrant, Gibbons, Mundy, Palestrina. Vittoria, and an anonymous composer of the school of Tye were all represented in this group. The singing was characterised by the beautiful tone of the boys (worthy of a cathedral or collegiate choir in England), so well balanced by that of the men. Here were the most delicate shades of nuance, the careful phrasing of individual melodic strands, and authentic interpretations which were a delight to the ear. The choir’s second group opened with Bach’s “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and continued with three modern works,/ outstanding amongst which were Charles Wood’s very beautiful "Expectans Expectavi” and a finely written “Magnificat” by Victor Galway. This last has been dedicated to Foster Browne and the Cathedral choir.

Parry’s “My Soul, There is a Country” overshadowed everything else in the third group, which included Tchaikovski’s "Hymn to the Trinity” and works by Terry and Lee Williams, all very well sung. The magnificent eight-part "Blest Pair of Sirens,” by Parry also, was given a fine performance by the choir of the Royal Christchurch Musical Society. This work alone would place its composer in the very front rank of the outstanding choral writers of modern times. Discerning critics have well called him “the English Bach.” The choir sang with complete confidence, good tone, and splendid effect. If • the same standards were not reached in the early Holst work, "King Estmere,” we may be grateful

nevertheless for the opportunity to hear music foreshadowing the strongly personal style of a British composer whose more representative choral works have yet to receive performances by New Zealand choirs. On behalf of the college, Mr Wyn Irwin thanked Mr Foster Browne and the singers for providing a programme of so much variety and interest. —V,G.