HARMONIC SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 108, 3 November 1939, Page 13

HARMONIC SOCIETY

It is not given to many conductors of musical organisations to have odes composed in 'theirhonour, 'and "still les? then to' havje such an ode siing at them, so to speak, by their oiyn choir. Mr: H. Temple White, conductor of the Wellington Harmonic Society, must indeed be unique in this respect amongst local musicians, for that was the somewhat embarrassing honour accorded him last night at the Harmonic Society's concert in the Town Hall Concert Chamber. The words and music of the choral ode, "The Conductor," were by Mr. Claude M. Haydon, Lower Hutt, and referred to Mr, Temple White's long ant valuable services in the cause of music. Mr. H. A. Pargetter conducted the item. The choir, under the baton of Mr. Temple White, provided some very choice part songs, choruses, and madrigals. "The River Floweth Strong, My Love" (Roland Rogers) was an outstanding item in the first half of the programme. "The Open Road" (William Stickles) and "It Was th& Time of Roses" (Robertson) were two other very acceptable contributions. The duet and chorus "I,Waited for the Lord," from Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise," was another noteworthy effort, the soloists being Miss Lucy Mcintosh and Mrs. Burgess. Splendid effect was obtained in the old "Nancy Dawson," with which the choif? opened tlie second half of the programme. "Joy and Sorrow," from Sullivan's "The Rose of Persia," an old madrigal "The Silver Swan," "Sanctuary of the Heart," "All Things Are Still," and the "Bridal Chorus" from "The Rose Maiden" (Cowen) were all very well received by the audience. The ladies of the choir presented "Robin Adair" very nicely. Assisting the choir was Mrs. J. A. Wiltshire, whose rich contralto voice was heard in advantage in several numbers, including ™Adieu Forets" (Tschaikowsky), "Love Triumphant" (Brahms), "Faith in Spring" (Schubert), and "The Vain Suit" (Brahms). Miss Gertrude Johnston's piano solos were also very much appreciated, "Awake, the Voice Commands" (BachBusoni) being the outstanding number in her bracket which also included "Sicilians and Hoi-npipe" (Purcell) and Chopin's "Nocturne in B Flat Minor." With Mr, and Mrs. McLean, violin and 'cello respectively, was presented De- ; bussy's instrumental trio "Ballet pour Enfants." Mrs. R. G. Caigou accompanied the choir and soloists in her tisual highly efficient manner.