JUBILEE CHOIE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 58, 6 September 1934, Page 9

JUBILEE CHOIE

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

Tlio Jubilee Choir, which was formed some months ago in connection with the Archbishop Redwood jubilee celebrations, made its first appearance iv the Town Hall last night as a regular concert organisation, receiving an enthusiastic welcome from a fairly large audience. This choir is nearly two hundred voices strong and sings under the baton of Mr. Frank •T. Onkes, who has obviously devoted much time and skill to its training. In such chairs there is often a tendency to, sacrifice tone in order to achieve volume, but of this there was little evidence last night. There, was throughout a harmonious blending of the voices and an intellicent response to the conductor's baton. If criticism is to bo made, it must be that the ladies' voices were better than the Jnen's., but not to such a degree as to mar the singing. The programme was chosen with discrimination, the majority of the numbers being such that they would be appreciated to the full by an average audience while, at the same time tending to elevate musical taste.

"The Jubilee Ode," the lyrics of which ai-e by.3ili.sfi Eileen Duggau and the setting by Mr. Oakes, was a feature of the choir's singing at the jubilee celebrations in February last, and.it was given as the first'item of the programme following the singing of the National Anthem, which was rendered • with fine crescendo effect. Two beautiful choral compositions of, days gone by followed, these being Jacques Arcadelt's "Aye Maria"* and Mozart's "Aye Verum." The well-known choral "Oh! Hush Thee," by. Sullivan, which had to be repeated, and the traditional "Londonderry Air" were two of the mo^t popular numbers on the programme. "The Blue Danube" (Strauss),/ "Holy Night, Silent Night" (Franz Gruber). "0, Salutaris Hostia" (Elgar), and "Hail! Bright Abode" (from Wagner's "TaiiDhauser") were other items Which met with warm applause. The two halves of the programme were brought to a conclusion with "The Bells of St. Michael's Tower" (Stewart) and "The Challenge of Thor" (from Elgar's cantata "King Olaf"), each being most effectively sung. In the former an excellent reverberating bell effect, quite after the style of the Don Cossack Choir, was attained. Mr. Maxwell Fernie. played the. accompaniments to the choral numbers on the organ, and he played them well. He gave several organ, solos in addition, and these were very much appreciated. They included the tone poem "Finlandia," by Sibelius; McDowell's "A.D. MDCXX," the swinging rhythm of winch represents the voyage of the Mayflower in that year; and Bach's ""Jesn, Joy of Man's Desiring." An outstanding feature of the programme was the 'cello playing of Mr. Hamilton Dickson. With Miss Decima Hiighson at .the piano, he played the first movement from Grieg's "Sonata in A Minor." one of the most beautiful pieces of chamber music. Both players did full justice to its lyric beauty aV»d fully i deserved the rounds of applause accorded them. Later in the programme he de-

lighted again with a composition of his own, "-Romance,in F Major" and Popper's "Chanson Villageoise." The melodic charm of the former and the gay rhythm of the latter made great appeal. As an encore to the Grieg "Sonata" a Dvorak "Gipsy Melody" was given.

The concert was in aid of the St. Vincent de Paul Society fund for : relief . of distress. ■ . • ■:■■;■