Art and friendship blended

Press, 15 May 1985, Page 22

Art and friendship blended

BY

KAY FORRESTER

For a choir that began life in Warner’s Commercial Hotel, the Christchurch Liedertafel has lasted surprisingly well.

The all male choir celebrates its centenary next week.

Possibly the oldest male choir in New Zealand, the Liedertafel was formed on May 21, 1885, of business and professional men who met at the Commercial to enjoy the amenities to the accompaniment of part songs and glees. The name was suggested by Dr (later Sir) Julius von Haast, after the German choirs of the same name. Less than a month after the choir society was formed, the first concert was given on June 11 in the rooms above Messrs Milner and Thompson’s premises in High Street. The audience was restricted to men. The first concert was a success and was the beginning of the Liedertafel as a part of the Christchurch music world. The choir’s programme was extended to include ladies’ socials also. The Liedertafel — translated the name means songs around the table — was more of a gentlemen’s club than a choir in the early years. This is still true today, says the choir’s president, John Norman, although the practice sessions and intervals in Warner’s no longer take place. The society now meets for practices at Shirley Boys’ High School and usu-

ally performs at either the Oxford Terrace Baptist Church or Rangi Ruru Girls’ School. The friendship and camaraderie among members has not changed, however, according to Mr Norman. The choir is best summed up by the words of one of its songs: “With art and friendship blended.” Most choir members join for life. The age of present members ranges from 19 to 90.

In 100 years, the choir has had only 291 members, testimony to the long service of most members. The average length of choir membership for the present 44 members is 14 years. Although the interest in choral music is now not as strong, in its peak years the Liedertafel had waiting lists of members. Then the membership was restricted to 28. The choir’s emblem is a lyre worn as a lapel badge by members. At one time

the choir also had its own whistle call, although the signal is no longer used. Although the choir is a secular organisation many of its members have belonged to church choirs and the choir has performed in the Christchurch Cathedral. To mark the centenary next week the choir will sing at the matins service in the Cathedral on Sunday. On Monday night the Liedertafel will give its centennial concert at the Assembly of God (the former Odeon Theatre) in Tuam Street. Among the songs on the programme is a sequence of songs sung at the first concert in 1885 and a piece especially commissioned from Professor John Ritchie, with words by Raewyn Dawson.

The guest artist will be the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra oboist, Ronald Webb, and Maurice Till, who was once the regular Liedertafel accompanist.

On Tuesday evening a social evening will be held at the Winter Gardens, with a meal, a guest speaker, Robert Field-Dodgson, a centennial cake and, naturally, singing. The cake will be cut by Mr Les Strong, the secretary and one of the longest serving members of the choir.

Mr Strong, who joined the choir in 1941, recalls the suggestion mooted during the anti-German feeling in the Second World War, to change the choir’s name. The Liedertafel survived intact, however. The Liedertafel has been a regular recording group for radio and has taped a cassette for the centennary.

The choir will be one of the artists on a radio programme on May 19, the day its centennial celebrations begin. Of the choir members who have achieved individual recognition for their singing, perhaps the most well-known was Donald Jack. Only a member for a short time, Mr Jack won the inaugural Mobil Song Quest. The history of the choir is outlined in a book, “Rise Brothers, Rise,” written by a choir member, Wyndham Simpson, for the centenary To mark the 100 years milestone two gifts have been given to the choir. One is from the daughter of a member, J. C. Puschel, and is a conductor’s rostrum. The other is from the wife of a member, P. A. Caithness, and is a set of lyre emblems.