Liedertafel Presents Evening Of Fine Music

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32127, 24 October 1969, Page 12

Liedertafel Presents Evening Of Fine Music

New Zealand’s licensing laws being what they are, the Christchurch Liedertafel is forced to offer a Men’s Night without the very externals which their counterparts in Germany still, to this day, enjoy. For a male voice choir of 30 singers to be able to function within the terms of reference of what, is meant by “liedertafel” in the Caledonian Hall is something; to do so without beer and cheese and to attract a large audience of men only is to argue a musical content of unusual attraction.

The programme offered last evening possessed a diversity characteristic of what one has heard of the previous 412 concerts given by the society. Lassus rubbed shoulders with Rowley, Sibelius with Abt. But the sense of informal social occasion produced unity. The choir, conducted with clarity and helpfulness by Keith Newson, sang five group of part-songs, many of which were new to its repertoire. Of these, Philip Wilkinson’s “A Gift for a Man,” and an impressive arrangement of “Sound Ye Trumpets” by Jeremiah Clarke ex-

ploited its virtues of flexible tone and clear enunciation. There is a quite thrilling richness of quality in most of the choir’s singing which flatters some of the music sung.

Peter Law and J. E. Mason were acceptable soloists in two choruses: Ivan Wilson, a lyric tenor, Grahaeme Johnson, a bass whose fine voice was suited to three ditties of maritime origin, and Rod MacKenzie, the possessor of a confidently projected and clear tenor voice, all contributed to the character of the evening.

The Suite for Violin, Clarinet and Piano lacked the true Milhaud whimsy until the third movement, “Jeu,” but its performance revealed the talents of Larry Reuter, Richard Norman and Martin Lamb three Christ’s College boys. Larry Reuter was also heard in a promising performance of two movements from Mozart’s K. 219 Concerto, accompanied by Mr Robert FieldDodgson. Mr Newson’s and the Liedertafel’s work was, as usual, enhanced by Hubert Filer’s playing of accompaniments. —J. A.R.