The " Lobgesang" Concert.

Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 98, 25 April 1884, Page 3

The " Lobgesang" Concert.

«• The concert glvon at tho Athenroum Hall hat evening in aid of tho General Church Fund proved a great *ueceßs. Notwithstanding tho somewhat high price charged for admission, there wero very few vaoant seats, and musically the entertainment passed off in a very satisfactory manner. The band and ohonn, numbering 100 performon, evinoed very carofnl training, and both Mr. Robert Parker, the conduotor, and Mr. J. C. R. Isherwood, the loader of the orchestra, are to be congratulated on the result. Tho first part of the oonoert was devoted to some woll-choaen selections from the works of Handel. These oompruod the " Overture to the Occasional Oratorio," tho chorus from Solomon, "May no Raah Intruder" (better known as "The Nightingale Chorus"), the famous bass duet, "The Lord is a Man of War" (Messrs. D. E. Lindsay and F. V. Waters), tho beautiful tenor reoitative and air, " Deeper and Deepor Still" and " Woffc her, Angela" (Mr. 0. M. J. Edwarda), the dnot, "O, Lovely Peace" (Miaa Linton and Mi«a Hislop), concluding with the massive "Amen' f onoruii. The performance of "Tho Lobgoiang," whioh formod the second part oi the oonoert, proved a genuine musical treat. It would, of course, be diffloult to find a production with moro telling harmonies in the orohestralacore, ana at the same time with more offeotive solos ana ohorusoethan the "Hymn of Praiso." A« mo»t lovers of musio are aware, it was first , performed at Leipsio, at the celebration of the quadrioentenary of tiie invention of printing, and was always »" favourite ohild of the composer, Mendelasohn. It is m every way admirably adapted for popular representation, and tho3» who took part in its prodnotion last night are to be oongratnlated on having presented tto the public of Wellington In such exoellent style. # The symphony, whioh forms auoh a prominent portion of the work, was riven by the band with jrroat preoUion, and notwithstanding iH length was liatened to, with groat enjoymont through. The dainty inatrumentation in tho allerrttto agitato, and the fine solemn •weep of harmony in the adagio religoio, so skilfully contrasted, were cip >ially admired. The ohoru* " All Men all Things " was effeotirely sung, and Mrs. Levin was exceedingly auooesiful in the lovoly soprano solo, "Pralae Thou tho Lord," with ohorus accompaniment of sopranos and altos— one of tho gems of the work. To Mr. C. Hickaon was allotted the tenor recitative " Sing ye Praise" and the air "He Counteth all your Sorrows." The popular soprano and alto duet, " I waited for the Lord >f with ohorus, bo well known as an anthem, was artistically sung by Mrs. Levin and Mrs. Parsons. Mr. 0. M. J. Edwards was very effeotive in his interpretation of the air, "The Sorrows of Death," and the ourion* but beautiful " Watohmau " reoitative. The jubilant solo and chorus, " The night is departing," led by Mrs. Levin, was also muoh enjoyed, as was the fine chorale, "Lee all Men praise the Lord," the first verse being given by the voices alone, while the somewhat difficult running accompaniment was performed to the second verse in capital style by the violins. Mr. C. Hiokson and Mra. Levin were much applauded for their ainging in the duet, "My Song shall Alway," and the oonoert was brought to an appropriate conolualon at hali-paat 10 by the stirring ohorus, "Ye Nations offer to the Lord." The concert is to be repeated this evening, the price of admission being reduced to 2s, and will doubtless bo well attended, as it certainly deserves to bo.