WAIATA CHOIR

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 113, 9 November 1937, Page 18

WAIATA CHOIR

INTEREST IN LONDON

TELEVISION ENGAGEMENT

;;'-(From VTht VPostV; ■^jujsi?: /as* ;a K^&NDOrirOctober 16. , •! #$f jflh -and Mrs. Jordan ; a number of New Zealanders here to be their guests at a concert given by the Waiata Maoris at the Kingsway Hall this week. Much interest had been created, the hall was quite full, and the impression made by the Maoris was excellent. An attractive programme was staged and, of course; to ' the; -"majority of the audience the_enteriainment was something unique. The concerted numbers whicH-'ftief singj'f unaccompanied, are perfectly done and the repertoire is, remarkably varied. -The action numbers in which the poi-poi balls are so prominent are graceful and rhythmic, and impart added interest. : A semi-religious atmosphere predominates over the performances of the. party. Such being the case, it is not surprising, perhaps, .that music-hall engagements haye been declined. In a settseMhis is perhaps a pity, for much that the Maoris do would delight large audiences in" many populous « centres on a good, music-hall circuit. ' Thej Waiata isongsters were at Alexandra j Palace this week for a television engtgement; This was a marked success, so much so indeed, that the sum, paid was spontaneously increased over the fee originally offered, and the party was wanted again at very short notice. ' "If they cannot all come, then serid us a quartet," said the telephone message to the manager. .■_.-. Alter the recital, Mr. and Mrs. Jordan entertained the par^y and th?* guests to light refreshrnentsi at -the Kingiway Halliv; ;■; ---v-;---.,*.. >:■.-'.,;y,,::; : '"nie^Times" gives the party a ,v«y good; notice: but regrets 'the Maoris' obvious musical ability should be nourished on bad anthems and cheap ballad^,' even though some encroach-| merit of) European; music on their own must prdMbly be^ regarded as, ineyit^ ableViahdrpne must?not; be;too.yeMCtlri« during: tiiSprocessC-of cutting the teeth ;oh^tt;?' > thea poi dances^ were fourid to^btfgaelightfuL in: the vfaoat sdng; th^'-lhterestirig^musical ;■ iact sirig Mi :■•.'■am*' melody in flfths ; and octavM^-i presentidair confirmation of the;-:<w*y-y-in. which part-singing always supposed to have .evolved, the modemVequivalent of the "magadizing? of the Greeks and the "Organum V of the Middled Ages, The factual tunes which contained/ semitohemoyed in a. resected -xomv Pthe "Daily; Telegraph". today.V comments: "The essentials of an effortiss? choral technique were,to.be.ioundja the mbdem examrjles, imitative. though they were, while the rich quality , of the bass1 voices gave a solid toundation; particularly impressive -in :. the rhythmicalonset of>the «?«ent : chants. These proved the most' distinctive features in a programme also introducing a number of skilfullyrstaged games j and ceremonies;, to which the Native dress lent picturesque effect." ; '