Choral Concert Saved

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30365, 14 February 1964, Page 13

Choral Concert Saved

“Belshazzar’s Feast” would not have been presented in Christchurch by the choirs of the Harmonic Society and the Royal Christchurch Musical Society if the Civic Music Council had not guaranteed the Broadcasting Corporation an agreed sum towards the cost of the concerts. ’• • Because of the cost of preparing King Edward Barracks for the proposed concerts, the Corporation at first decided to by-pass Christchurch. This was disclosed by the chairman .of the promotion sub-committee of the Civic Music Council (Sir James Hay) yesterday When he outlined the action taken by the council to ensure that Christchurch would hear its own choirs present “Belshazzar’s Feast.” “When the Broadcasting Corporation concluded arrangements for the- visit to New Zealand of the famous composer, Sir William Walton, it highlighted the importance of enabling the people of New Zealand to hear what is probably Walton’s most spectacular work, ‘Belshazzar’s Feast,’ said Sir James Hay.

‘The only two choirs in New Zealand capable of performing what is recognised as a demanding work, are the Chrstchurch Harmonic So-

ciety and the Royal Christchurch Musical Society. “The Broadcasting Corporation was anxipus that Christchurch people should have the opportunity of hearing their own choirs present 'Belshazzar’s' Feast’ with the New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the composer. Negotiations were entered into to achieve this end.

‘The absence of a town hall in Christchurch confronted the Broadcasting Corporation with a real difficulty for the Civic Theatre was not able to accommodate the numbers involved in the combined choirs —more than 400 members, together with an enlarged orchestra. At this point the advice of the Civic Music Council was sought as to the cost of preparing King Edward Barracks for the proposed concerts.

“The report submitted by the council indicated that the corporation would be involved in a large expense, so much so that a decision was made by the corporation to by-pass Christchurch as far as the combined choral ‘Belshazzar’s Feast’ concert was concerned,” he said. “It was at this point that the council took action to ensure that Christchurch people should be able to hear their own renowned choirs in a presentation of ‘Belshazzar’s Feast’ with the symphony orchestra, conducted by the composer. “The council, which has resources for the saving of expense by voluntary effort and in other ways, undertook to organise the concerts,

guaranteeing the corporation an agreed sum towards the cost of producing the concerts.

. “The offer was accepted and for weeks past the council has been fully engaged in making preparations for the concerts. King Edward Barracks was not aavilable, because of renovations and it was therefore decided to hold the concerts in Canterbury Court on March 5 and 7. This promises to be a most outstanding musical occasion,” said Sir James Hay.