C.T. CHOIE

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 27, 1 August 1932, Page 3

C.T. CHOIE

ENJOYABLE CONCERT

The Male Voice Choir of the Wellington Commercial Travellers' Association demonstrated to a large audience in the Concert Chamber on Saturday night that male voices are as capable of the nice nuances of harmony and expression as is a mixed choir. Mr. John Bishop handled nis singers with intelligence, and secured the best tonal effects possible. The concert .was a happy experience for all who heard it, and the choir is to be congratulated on the high standard attained—and maintained—and on its important position in the city's musical life. The opening number was Haydn's "The Heavens are lelling very appropriately included in yiew of the Haydn bicentenary this year. Messrs. H. Phipps, J. H. Crisp, and F. VV. Lycock,.in the trio of Percy Fletcher's arrangement, were suitably expressive. A musical jest" by Richard Genee was sung, "Italian Salad," the soloist being Air. Egerton Pegg. The mock-operatic gesture was well received. Bantoek's arrangement of'the "Song of , the Volga Boatmen, fully interpreted the sad monotony of the lament, and the singers were sympathetic in their treatment. Miss Molly Atkinson (soprano) and Miss Dorothy bpiller (contralto) were soloists with the choir m a very fine rendering of Sir Alexander Mackenzie's "Let the Past be Dead (from. "Colomba," a lyrical drama by .trances Hueffer). The audience demanded a recall for the exquisite partsmging and solo work. The other number^ included Bantock's sixteenth century English melody, "Hunting Song," which mi i spirited; Maunder's Border Ballad; Buck's "In Absence" (encored); J-. L-. Hatton's "The Happiest Land"; Fnednch Kuhlau s charming "Every Rustling Tree"; Sir Hugh Robertson's "All m the April Evening* (words by Katherme Tynan); and "Peaceful Slumb'ring on "I?,..Ocean" (G. M. Howe soloist). Mr. William Goudie (baritone) sang Frances Alhtsen's "Lute Player" so well that a double recall was his portion. His other numbers were "Because I Wur Shy' 'and Lady Blue Eyes." Miss Molly Atkinson, a cultured soprano, is very popular with local audiences. Her offerings were "A Aight Idyll" (Loughborough) and "A Birthday" (Woodman); her encore was JLhe Quiet Hills," a perfect little gem of vocal serenity. Miss Spiller was also a soloist, her contralto voice being well used in Sir Landon Ronald's "Prelude." f She was artistic in her recall too. They were- "Awake My Child," "The Day is •Near," and "The Magic Lute." She is a decided acquisition to Wellington. Mr. George Ellwood made a big impression with his violoncello solos. Tone was excellent and manipulation faultless. The audience liked Beethoven's "Minuet" and Liszt's "Liebestraum," and demanded an encore. His technique was again superb in Granados's. "Spanish Dance" and Popper a "Tarantelle." . His other contributions were Mqszowsky's "Guitarre" (a tricky little morsel) and Dunkler's "Spinning Wheel." Mr. M. Dixon, accompanist, was in his element at the piano.

Davis Bros., auctioneers, 57-59, Cuba street, will sell by auction to-morrow at 2 p.m. the contents of a home.