Harmonic Society Sings “Messiah”

Press, Volume CI, Issue 30004, 13 December 1962, Page 21

Harmonic Society Sings “Messiah”

The Christchurch Harmonic Society. conducted by Mr William Hawkey, sang Messiah" in the Civic T estre last evening. The soloists were Elizabeth Hellawell. soprano. Carlene Snapcott, contralto,' Noel Signal. tenor, and Charles Naylor, bass. The John Ritchie String Orchestra, with Dr. Michael Toovey at the harpsichord, played the accompaniments. Two trumpets and drums were added to the orchestra. Mr Hawkey so directed the performance that there was a convincing unity at purpose and clarity of message Highlights were plentiful, and came at the right places. It is not difficult to create these, given adequate forces —and Mr Hawkey certainly had these in his choir, orchestra. and soloists. What is more difficult is to keep life, and to command close attention. and to bring cut with subtle artistry all the fine points which must contribute harmoniously to the various pathways to the heists. Without departing from the essential dignity of style required for this work, Mr Hawkey drew from his choir •performances of the choruses which had dramatic interest

in every phrase. There were many soft passages of deeply-

moving beauty as well as bright and arrestingly challenging intensities. The climaxes were obtained with well-controlled brightness of sound rather than through more power than the building can conveniently take. The result was clarity of line, balance of parts was never lost, and varieties of colour could be fully appreciated. All this showed fine judgment and discipline. Uniformity of vowel formation, and placing those vowels in a forward and resonant position, give the choir a wide range of flexibility in colour and expression, and also unfailing vitality at all levels. This excellence of technique was very noticeable at the Harmonic Society’s recent carol concerts and it earned rich rewards in this more exacting work.

For the most part Mr Hawkey chose fast tempi which suited the Civic Theatre but would raise problems if there were more reverberation to be encountered. However, these tempidid not mar the dignity of the work nor detract from any clarity of detail. The choir certainly deserves high commendation for its precision and for the heightened interest it created in every chorus.

The soloists were a good team. Miss Hellawell sang with distinguished artistry and excellent clarity. Her performances were always stylish, and her changes of expression were interesting and convincing. Mrs Shapcott’s voice has appealing timbre when she brings her resonance out into the open in a clear Line of sound. Sometimes, as is all too frequent with many contraltos, she seeks colour by allowing vowels to form too far back in the throat, and clarity and evenness of resonance suffer. Impressiveness of performance goes also. Anyone singing ‘‘He Was Despised" should take the greatest care with the “i.”

Mr Signal sang clearly and with dramatic meaning. His range of colour in his voice, though not very wide, was interesting to hear, and his voice had an even resonance throughout its range. Mr Naylor has a grand voice of compelling power, and he sang with deep sincerity. His control of vowels is. at present, lacking in discipline. Frequently the same vowel would change its character several times during a run. Some vowels never achieved a pure tone, and the clarity of outline to the singing suffered accordingly. If this weakness were overcome, Mr Naylor would be a very impressive singer in any company. The orchestra played very well indeed and achieved good balance and unanimity in its interesting tonal variety. The players were responsive technically, and in artistic understanding, to all that was asked of them. Dr. Toovey's work at the harpsichord always aroused keen interest and provided interesting varied colours. The trumpet part in “The Trumpet Shall Sound.” was skilfully played. The work will be performed again this evening and on Saturday evening. —C.F.B.