FACTIONS SHAMED

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30811, 24 July 1965, Page 14

FACTIONS SHAMED

Music From Many Sources Every day there is evidence of contemporary fatuity, when it comes to music. Most recently we have heard from the anti-Stanford clique, speaking in much the same terms as the Wagnerites used of Brahms, as the Brahmites used of Wagner—“pernicious influence” being a favourite description in all cases. It emerges clearly that one of the signs of greatness is the readiness with which artistic pipsqueaks are prepared to attack it. Evidence of the futility of the current teacup storminess was afforded in the Christchurch Cathedral yesterday when the Cathedral Choir sang music, some of which was new to regular listeners to the choir, and all of which represented the many-sided virtues which the best of religious music can offer. The organist and master of the choristers, Mr C. Foster Browne, is to be congratulated on the excellence of the programme and its standard of presentation. Thoroughly competent singing in every technical respect, aided by a sure and intelligent interpretative understanding, produced a delightful hour’s music. The choir was in top form and the several soloists, especially the treble in “How Lovely are Thy Dwellings” and the tenor in Herbert Howell’s impressive “Nunc Dimittis,” added notably to the contentment inherent in a selection which ranged back to Vittoria and included Burke's “St. Patrick’s Breastplate” with its arresting organ introduction. The performance, offered in aid of the Harmonic Society’s Appeal, was very well attended. —J.A.R.