HARMONIC SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 267, 5 August 1920, Page 6

HARMONIC SOCIETY

AN "ELGAR" PIiOGIiAMHE. 'It was nil exceedingly happy thought on the part of the Wellington Harmonic Society to give ail Eljar programme, for though lie is undoubtedly Enpland's greatest living composer, the knowledge of his works—his oratorios, ■ orchestral pieci*. glees, chorales, and songs-are very limited, and hie greatness is taken for granted rather than understood. It was thenfore full of eager anticipation that many went to the Town Hall last evening (a I'iir larger audience than the weather seemed to warrant), and the general expressions, heard were those of unalloyed delight, not only in tho works of Sir Edward lilgar, but ill the manner they were addresser! by the socicty. The programme opened with the least effective chorus on the programme, "The Challenge of Tlior." from ' Aing Olaf." "0, Happy Eyes," a brightly melodious number, was sung with nice verve and sweetness. In another and mora sombre mood "Go, Song of Mine." was most, ably interpreted by the choir. Tile contrast between the subdued, chanted opening and the llorid passage for tie sopranos above the stave was very striking. The part song had to bo repeated. The fine spirit [of originality which -listinguishes Elgar's music was shown in U,c part song, ''A Spanish Serenade," a. number most quaintly and beautifully arranged. An arresting effect was the twonote passage for the tenors at the end of the first two verses, and the slumberous basso notes in conclusion, which tell ever 60 sonorously how "lly lady Sleeps." The pianoforte accompaniment was delightfully characteristic, and Mr.' Harold Whittle made the most- of it. In the second Half the ladies with a violin übbligato liy Misses Ava Symons and Dorothy M'lls. I and with Mr. Whittle at the piano, sang "The Snow," somewhat lachrymose lyric l : about tho destiny of the soul, by the late Lady Elgar, which have been given a dainty, if somewhat depressing, scttiiitf by her gifted husband. It was well sung, and had to be repeated. A gem of purest ray was the part song, "My Love Dwelt in a A'orthcrn Laud," written to the lvrics of Andrew Lang. The reading- given' the number by Mr. H. Temple White serves to strengthen confidence in bis interpretive capacity. Another cameo iu part songs was "Weary Wind of tho Wc«t ' most graphically sung, and finally the rousing "it Comes from tho Misty Age«" (the epilogue to "The Banner of «t George";. Great however as Elgar is as'a composer of part songs, his vocal solos arc I a thing apart. Miss Mabelle Esquilant the local contralto, who was in superb voice, was probably never heard to better advantage 111 the Town Hall than in 'Wc Unto the Damask Hose," Elgar's song writ ten to the striking philosophical apostrophe on life by Simon Wastell (1560-1635) It, this song the poet melancholically dilat<>« on the fact that "life is short and timn fleeting, but Elgar's music glorifies and diznifics the lines. The encore was - Haven." Miss Esquilant also enchanted tho audience in another lovely Elgar so ,V "Where Corals Lie," which was rewa,X"l I with a double encore. Miss Ava Symons violinist,, showed the resourcefulness ! her art in an 9 Allegro Maestoso" by Le Bcnot, and on' being recalled played tender little Bcrecuse" (on united strintrs: by Ce.-ar Cm. Her power found cxnrov sion in the Bach-Williel.nj "Air for t! String Iler encore was a lively "Ma zurka by Mylnarsky. The mali vocai smois was Mr Frank Charles, who "a,,i hlgars "Die Pipes of l'au" and "Ln er v s °d n n^ cll !*'"r. Ina '° nwartet. Messrs It. Bennett, G. M. Howe w VinWUnr* and C. W. fivenaon, sang ••After 3 a v u Dusty Jliln" (Kipar), and as 'in rnmn "The Goslings." The society is to lie con?r rat » lts clloir > nnd its eonductnMr. ioinplu White, who had the courage' and ability to stage such a concert-ow wi'fn'i o"?" t( ! 1,0 repeated. Mr Whittle was at the piano.