Choir Outstanding In Final Concert

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31226, 25 November 1966, Page 14

Choir Outstanding In Final Concert

The Christchurch Liederkranzehen, conducted by Mr Clifton Cook, gave its last concert of this season in the Christchurch Boys’ High School hall last evening. This was the last concert under Mr Cook’s direction for he is retiring after leading the choir through many beautiful concerts in the last six years. He has served the society with distinction.

The programme began with Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” and the choir is to be congraulated on a performance memorable for its sensitive interpretation of this beautiful work. The atmosphere was authentically created with tonal timbres that were always warm and life-giving and of lovely quality. The balance was good and it brought out most attractive and telling ensemble effects with subtle expressive changes. The phrasing and, indeed, the whole approach to the music were thoroughly stylish. The soprano soloist was Miss Beryl Gough, who gave an outstanding performance. Her voice had exactly the right qualities of brightness and warm sympathy with the heart-rending words. She has a very wide range, an even quality of tones of many qualities, and her control of expression leaves nothing to chance. .It was splendid to hear such vital singing, such unblemished intonation, and such effortless and secure voice-production, particularly because such pleasant surprises are not usual as the end of the concert season draws near.

Mrs Ngaire Johnson was the contralto soloist. She has a voice of beautiful quality, well suited to this music, which she thoroughly understood. Her words were clear and she blended excellently with Miss Gough in the fine duets.

Mr Cook chose apt tempi and gave a satisfying and convincing unity to the whole performance, in which he, the soloists, and the choir can justly take pride.

Mr Brian Kinley played the accompaniments with elegance and artistic refinement, giving

unobtrusive support and keeping the character of the music always well in mind. Mr Cook and Mr Kinley played Corelli’s Sonata in E minor for violin and piano and did so with shapely dignity and good sense of style. The sonata followed the Pergolesi work well, and kept up the atmosphere, particularly in the opening movement and in the beautiful flow of the sarabande.

The second part of the programme was made up of Christmas music, beginning with Sir George Dyson’s “A Christmas Garland,” which is set to well-selected poetry with a finely-tuned sense of contrasted dramatic presentation. There is an attractive austerity also in the music. Mr Cook had trained the choir meticulously also in this work, and a confident, balanced, and expressive performance was given. Mrs Johnson and Mrs Harrall were the soloists and sang with good tone and understanding. The accompaniment forms an important part of the texture of the work and Mr Kinley interpreted it with an insight which contributed greatly to the interest and success of the performance. Four carols were then sung, with rather more emotion than they possibly needed. The vibrato in most of the voices was excessive. C.F.B.