HARMONIC SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 301, 16 September 1936, Page 5

HARMONIC SOCIETY

Mr. H. Temple White as Composer EXCELLENT PART SINGING Some very charming poetical part songs submitted for the first time made the Wellington Harmonic Society’s concert at the Concert Chamber last evening unusually interesting. From the opening this element of the unusual was apparent. Handel is not exactly a modern composer, but having been so prolific there must be much of his music that has not been heard in New Zealand. Certainly the unaccompanied chorus “The Foolish Lover Squanders’ from the opera “Deidamia" (arranged and scored by Sir Henry J. Wood) could be written down as a rediscovery. And what a bright cheerful measure it is, so buoyant in its refreshing spontaneity. After hearing such music the thought is engendered that, apart from the few arias, more or less familiar, there must be some treasurable music in the forgotten operas of Handel. ,- ■ “Bees,” a four-part song by Percy E. Fletcher, was a novelty of delicious vintage—a playful liltish part song with a roguish melody, exquisitely wedded to clever lyrics, sung against a background of hissing bees ever so busy improving the shining hour. The society’s conductor, Mr. H. Temple White, figured as the composer of a very beautiful and inspiring part song, entitled “Eventide Hymn,” which was so intrinsically sound musically and so admirably sung that it had to be repeated. Mr. White, in this number, has shown a marked capacity in giving musical life to some simple lyrics, and by changing the form of the harmony, by introducing a brief soprano solo (very beautifully sung by Miss Myra Sawyer), and a happy change of key toward the end, has produced a part song which, given its due, should travel far. Another little gem of pastoral peace, also very well sung, was the part song “All Things are Still” (Reginald Redman), while Edward Eldar’s gloomy “Death on the Hills,” superbly scored, was among the high-lights in this programme. Other numbers were “The Sea Hath Its Pearls” (Pinsuti). always a favourite, “The Hero’s Rest” (solo by Mr. C. W. Svenson), “The British Grenadiers” (sung as a patrol), “When Summer’s Merry Days Come In” (E. T. Davies;, “An Eriskay Love Lilt” and “Celtic Hymn” (both by H. S. Roberton). and the rollicking "Bay of Biscay” (arranged by Gerrard Williams). The choir was in good tone and balance and seemed to sing especially well as a welcome 'home to Mr. White (who only returned from Australia this week). The assisting soloists were Mr. Russell J. Laurenson, baritone, and Mr. Claude Tanner, ’cellist. Mr. Laurenson, as artistic ns he is robust in style, sang with good effect “When the King Went Forth to War” (Koenemann), "The Carpet” (Sanderson), “Lord Randal” (Scotti, “Song of the Flea” (Moussorgsky) and “A Wanderer's Song.” ’Cello soli by Mr. Tanner included an “Ave Verum” (Mozart), Andantino (Martini, Kreisleri, Serenade “Espagnole” (Glazounov), “Arlequin” (Popper), and “Songs My Mother Taught Me” (Dvorak). Miss Esther Caigou accompanied with a delightful touch. Among those present were the GovernorGeneral and Lady Galway.