Carol concert

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32788, 13 December 1971, Page 16

Carol concert

The annual concert «f < Christmas carols given by the Christchurch Harmonic Society and sponsored byßoth-. - man’s Cultural Foundation in support of Music, was held in the Civic Theatre on Saturday evening. William Hawkey conducted with - bis customary firm control and poised artistic judgment. Accompaniments were played on the piano by Nan Anderson and ’ on the organ by George Mar. ' tin. Both gave colour, ’ sparkle, and unfailing support. The well ar- ' ranged for contrast and inter- ’ est, began with the Harmonic Society singing Gustav Holst’s arrangement of “Let All Mor- . tai Flesh Keep Silence.” The choir caught its mystical spirit, while Mr Martin’s , Playing of the accompaniment i was exemplary in its strong > rhythm and clarity of detail. • Three carols, arranged by i Rutter, were performed with i grace and finesse. There was pristine freshness in “I Saw Three.. Ships,” and “Whence is that Goodly Fragrance” had a charming accompaniment played sensitively by Miss Anderson. She enlivened “The Twelve Days of Christmas” by her playing of Rut- ! teris clever accompaniment 1 - Four carols from the “Sing 1 Nowell” collection were ingeniously arranged, but at--1 tracted too much attention to ! the “arrangement” to the de- ' triment of the carol melodies themselves, spoiling their in--1 trinsic simplicity. Two carols by John Rutter, : “The Nativity Carol” and ■ “Shepherd’s Pipe Carol,” Were 1 completely charming and were performed with expres-

sive finesse. The last had a Jazz foundation cleverly ex“Animal Carols” i were a pleasing addition to programme. . “The dly Bea£*”, by,Eric Bell, and Percy Grafoger’s'arrangel ment of “ThereiWas a Pig i Went Out to Dig” were sung • with supple now by a small ■ group of women. They sang i with lovely tqne, t and with I flexible expression and phras- • tag, but their words, unfortun- , ately, were not very clear. . “Hurry Little Donkey," ar- • ranged by Mr. Hawkey, was -sung fluently by the full : choir. i The. choir ofChisnal I wood • Intermediates school, con- ! ducted by Mr T. B. E. Ufton I and accompanied by Mrs C. i M. Dewar, sang a group of t four carols, the mpst suecess- ! fui being “Christtaas Night,” .by William James. The choir ’ of the Mairehan High School, i conducted by MfP T. Brown ;and accompanied by Mr B. ' Faltoon, sang WlthTrtmirnhle i clarity of words fo I tractive carols. AD affintional : accompaniment . Of a -woodwind quartet, > ,tambourine; • ments adds to the problem of intonation. < - v . • ; A pfesentation was made to Mr Martin who has been or- > ganist to the Harmonic Soi ciety for many years. ■ As is customary at these i concerts, the audience was ta- ■ vited to join the choir, in stagtag well-known Christ- , mas hymns and carols. I The concert will be rei peated this eVentag, starting I at 7 pm. —C.F.B.