LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 29067, 2 December 1959, Page 19

LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT

Seventy-Fifth Anniversary

The concert given by the Christchurch Lledertafel last evening marked the seventy-fifth anniversary of the founding of the choir. The Caledonian Hall was filled with subscribers and friends, and a gala spirit prevailed. Mr David Law read a message of welcome from the president (Mr W. G. Tonks) who, though happily present at the concert, has recently been unwell and felt it wise to delegate this task. The standard of the singing, under the direction of Mr Frank Shields, the deputy-conductor, was a high one and worthy of this important occasion in the society’s history. The members’ clear and disciplined response to Mr Shields’s finely-detailed interpretations showed how well he had prepared them for this concert. There was a pleasing blending of voices with good balance and flexibility in expression. The more robust items had a rich sonority of tone and a stirring and vigorous rhythm. The softer works were sung with delicacy of expression and sympathetic phrasing. It was clearly felt that the members of the choir were in excellent form, were enjoying their singing, and were conveying that enjoyment in full measure to their hearers. In all these matters they were fulfilling the aspirations of the founders of the Liedertafel who would have been very proud of their successors at this concert. Two items by Chwatal which were sung at the first Liedertafel concert in 1885—“ Lovely Night” and “Dr. St. Paul”—were sung again at this concert. Apart from their historic interest they made pleasant hearing and were very well performed. Impressive Style

Mr Donald Jack sang “Down Where the Big Ships Go” and Rossini’s "Largo al Factotum,” in most impressive style. Mr Hubert Filer, the society’s accompanist, played the tricky accompaniment to the Rossini work with eclat; and his work throughout the evening was of a high order and greatly helped towards making the evening such a success.

Mr Victor Peters, a former conductor of the Liedertafel, directed the choir in Elgar’s "Five PartSongs from a Greek Anthology.” It was grand to see him conducting this choir once again and the members responded with enthusiasm and close attention. These songs were excellently sung, with beautiful tone, rousing climaxes, and well-realised rhythmic control.

Mr Maurice Till, a former accompanist of the society was the guest pianist for the evening. As always, he played brilliantly, with firm control, and with every phrase making its full impact. His items were Scherzo Op. 4 by Brahms, Valse Impromptu by Liszt, a Study for the Left Hand Alone by Blumenfeld, and Liszt’s transcription of Schumann’s “Devotion.”

The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) thanked the Liedertafel for its long service to the* community, spoke in high terms of its past history and wished it good fortune in the future. The badge of a life-member of the Liedertafel was given to Mr Jack Mason for long and meritorious service. This was presented by Mr E. W. Bartlett. Supper was served after the concert —C.F.B.