‘Genteel liedertafel’

Press, 3 May 1977, Page 6

‘Genteel liedertafel’

By

C. Foster Browne

The old hall at the Arts Centre was filled last evening | for a subscription concert by the Christchurch Liedertafel, i 1 conducted by Alexander ; Robson. A typical programme ofc part-songs old and new was | enthusiastically received. ' The concert began with I j Sullivan’s “The Long Day; Closes.” Handel’s “Disdain-;; ful of Danger” and a rousing ' “Drinking Song” by Vaughan' 1 Williams which showed that , the hall suited the robust en- ! ramble tone. Ralph Scott sang Handel’s ; “Hear Me Ye Winds andjWaves” and Schubert’s "My;* Last Abode." His voice is impressively beautiful with ‘ smooth production, well-; 1 disciplined breath control.) s and dear vowel sounds, He. c . sings with exemplary clarity ‘ and interpretative skill. i* Three songs translated from the Chinese of Tu Fu I

i and set charmingly to music I by Dr James Lyons were I sung with sensitivity. The Rolf Just Recorder ' Consort —Caroline, Wolfgang, ! and Rolf Just—played works I by Purcell, Thomas Lupo, and J. C. Faber with graceful tone and immaculate clarity’ and phrasing. Their 'playing was a rare model of breath control, yielding tone of singularly gentle, un- ; forced, and enchanting I quality. Madrigals by Dowland, IWeelbes, and Morley needed ! more flexible freedom, and Arthur Downie was soloist in Stanford’s ever-green “Songs; of the Sea.” The interpretation was gen-; feel and polite, as though! the rough sailor-men were sea-scouts, who had ledi cloistered and sheltered lives, from whom a goose need fear! nary a boo. In the second part of the; programme Copland’s “The'

c Little Horses” was an effecs tive song beautifully sung, and two Swedish Melodies r iwere fresh and sensitively sung. s The Telemann trio sonata , in A minor for alto recorder, - oboe, and basso continue was ‘ played by Caroline, Rolf, and r Wolfgang Just with thrilling f effect. The blending of > timbres,, the unfailingly pre- - rise cohesion, and the stylish » musicianship of these; players gave rare delight, Ij • Mr Robson drew very! 1 satisfying and well-blended ! • tone from his singers, kept i strong rhythmic control, I • 'chose suitable tempi, and| iphrased with artistic discern-■ •; ment. Mr Herbert Filer,; whose accompanying the; choir and soloists has beenL jof high standard and of un- , obtrusive but unfaltering as-- 1 Isistance has ended 25 years h with the society. He hasl< . leave for a few months while i 'he takes a holiday abroad. 1