SCOTTISH CHORAL SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 550, 3 July 1909, Page 8

SCOTTISH CHORAL SOCIETY.

With all duo respect to the Scottish Choral Society, and its conductor (Mr. J. H'Glashan), truth compels tile statement of fact, that so far as the choral and orchestral items on the programme were coucorned, the society's hrst loncert of the 1909 season, given in the Joncort Chamber 'of tho Town Hall last even- ' ng, left something to' bo desired.' A nusical society which, on occasion, caters or, the entertainment of tho public, should ' tt least justify tho anticipations of its patjons that the items announced to bo con;ributcd, no matter how modest these may bo, shall bo carefully prepared and artistically presented. That is the standard of fair criticism. Judged by that standard, tho Scottish Choral and Orchestral Society is far from perfect, and thoso interested in its wolfare will do well to consider ways and /means of effecting its salvation from what, indubitably, 'is a condition of mediocrity. Of tho items which constituted the programme last evening, the orchestra contributed three —a selection, "Scottish Airs," "Tho Golden Lyro"' (Herman;, and selections from "Tho Bohemian Girl" —which ,were indifferently ' played. Tho'orchestra was in- , strniricntally,' there being a preponderance of strings. One of the first violins wns hopelessly out of tuno, and this first, violin contributed very materially to tho blemishes which featured both the orchestral and choral numbers. The tempo, in all three items, was too slow. Tho choral items included:'"Tho Scottish Blue Bells," "Tho Auld Hqose/," "Comin' Thro' tho Ryo," "Green' Grow tho 'Rashes 0," and "Auld Lang Syne." 'In thesa there was evidently a lack of finish, and serious defoots in tune among toe sopranos, AH the ohoral items were sung too slowly. The society was assisted by , ssvoral soloists. Mrs.' Dickson sang "Ye Banks and Braes," "Berraic Basks o' Loch v Lomond" (an encore number), and "John Anderson, My Jo" fairly w»Il; her singing was marred by a sussestwn ot sharpness in tuco Miss 'May Driswll sang very sweetly, ','A»nU Laarw," aid "Allan Water"; Mrs. Satclitt'e iwatribuUd a tion, "Cam' yo by Athol," was phasjiigly sung by Mr, P. Aitk«n/and Mr. Johnson's item, a voral solo, was much appweiated. | f Mr. J, contributed a violin selo,, Raff's well-known "Ca\atin«," which received fair, though' not' brilliant, trratracat from the violiast, while Messrs. Cummins weio .successful in tseir instrnmsnial duet, "Excelsior." Mr. Callaghan was "down on the programme" for a couplo of items, but wiw, nnablo to bo present. Tho accempaniments woio played'by Miss Tomlinsoii. Try PHOSPHOL EMULSION for delicate ohildron. No'chest remedy is. so sure or so pleasant to'take as PHOSPHOL. For wornon, children and invalids it is nne«ual»o« *