CHRISTCHURCH COMPOSERS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29526, 30 May 1961, Page 9

CHRISTCHURCH COMPOSERS

City Choir To Sing In Auckland

Works by two Christchurch composers will be performed in Auckland by the Royal Christchurch Musical Society during the week-end. At a concert on Sunday afternoon “Thanksgiving Ode,” by Dr. Vernon Griffiths, professor of music at the University of Canterbury, and Mr John Ritchie’s “Fivenart Motette” will be two of the major works. Mr Ritchie is senior lecturer in the music department of the university. Dr. Griffiths’ work was composed for the centenary of the society last year. It has been rescored to include woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. It was originally composed for strings and a chorus. The other major work for the Sunday afternoon concert will be “Budavari Te Deum.” by the contemporary Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly. Works by Handel. Vaughan Williams, and Parry will also be performed. About 24 members of the National Orchestra under the leadership of Mr Vincent Aspey will play for the Sunday concert The organist will be Mr Peter Godfrey, organist at the Auckland Cathedral. The society’s conductor (Mr R. Field-Dodgson) will conduct the Sunday concert.

The society was invited by the Auckland Festival Committee to sing Beethoven’s "Missa Solemnis” as part of the Festival of Auckland. This will be performed on Saturday evening in the Auckland Town Hall with the National Orchestra conducted by John Hopkins. The Beethoven composition was the main work performed in the centennial celebrations of the society last July. It was performed a fortnight later in Wellington. About 170 members of the society will go to Auckland. Most will leave in three flights on Friday. Some will return on Sunday evening, but most will come back on Monday. Two aircraft have been chartered to bring the members back to Christchurch.

Some members will be billetted in Auckland Members are paying half their fares.