Fine Choral Contribution To Holy Week Meditation

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31030, 9 April 1966, Page 16

Fine Choral Contribution To Holy Week Meditation

In these days when the “singing commercial” seems to have become the stamp of our culture in the field of functional music, it is pleasant to be reminded of the artistic excellence of the Cathedral Choir as evidenced in its singing last evening.

Participating in a Holy Week meditation, the choir, under the direction of C. Foster Browne, organist and master of the choristers, sang with its customary skill and contributed most fittingly to the atmosphere and continuity of the service. The music chosen ranged widely in style. But while Dvorak rubbed shoulders with Bach, a most convincing con-

gruity was established in terms of the commemorative nature of the drama.

This clearly was helped by the performances given each work. From the complex textures of motets by Vittoria and Palestrina to the homophonic richness of several chorales by Bach, Mr Foster Browne produced completely convincing interpretations, based on ideal tempi, expressive tone colouring and a subtle understanding of the style and idiom of each composer.

The unison opening of Bairstow’s “Let all mortal flesh keep silence” was one of the many highlights. The aural imagery of this fine work was projected with great skill by the singers, who throughout maintained a relaxed but vigilant control. Beautiful phrasing by the altos was heard in Dvorak's “Blessed Jesu.”

Mr Browne’s own composition, Tenebrae Factae Sunt, fitted the sequence perfectly. It is a difficult work for trebles only, expertly laid out for the voices. This was a performance which not only did justice to the music but also realised its scholarly aptness to the Latin text. AH concerned, including Mr Brian Barrett, who conducted three chorales and Gibbons’s lovely “Drop, drop, slow tears,” deserve thanks for lending artistic point to a most significant occasion. -J.A.R.

Purser Loses.—R Purser (New Zealand) was beaten. 15-6. 15-17. 15-12. by J. Poole (United States) tn the third round of the United States badminton championships.

Replacement. The leading Queensland tennis player. G. Fox, has replaced L. Hasted In the Queensland Catholic team which will make a four-match tour of the Auckland province. Motor Racing.—The Masterton racing driver, Andrew Buchanan will go to Australia at Easter to drive the Schuderia Veloce Ferrari 250LM at Bathurst.