KNOX CHURCH CHOIR

Evening Star, Issue 17311, 26 March 1920, Page 2

KNOX CHURCH CHOIR

• * . Dr Iliffe's contata 'Via Cruris' was re-' produced by Knox Church Choir last night under the direction of Mr W. Patret Gale. It is a line work, more interesting to a mixed congregation than Dr Stainer's 'Crucifixion/ and the performance showed that it had been thoroughly studied, for the tinging was for the niost t: part marked bv accurate reading, and the organ work by Mr Gale himself was eminently satisfactory, full of character and devotion. The difficulty that the conductor had to contend against was in respect to balance. The trebles were light, the tenors for once in a way somewhat strong and occasionally turbulent; but such troubles are unavoidable in singing by a voluntary church choir, and, instead of making these drawbacks the occasion of faultfinding, the congregation probably felt grateful for the many merits that were apparent in the choir's doings. The full choir's work in the declamatory passages was really effective. 'We found this man' may be mentioned as an outstanding example, and 'He etirreth up the nation' was another, whilst ' Verily I say unto thee' was a short but absolutely perfect example of choir singing. _ The soloists, too, did well. Miss Cowie, though a trifle nervous, sang ' God so loved the world' in nice taste. Mr W. Harrison, entrusted with the principal tenor solos, read them in a most musicianly manner, and was heard to great advantage in the recitative 'ls it nothing to you?' (avowedly remindful of ' Behold and see' in ' The Messiah') and the succeeding arietta 'Come unto Me.' Mr J. M. Alexander took the solos for the second tenor voice, and delivered them with abundant vigor and meaning. Mr A. G. Robertson, the baritone of the occasion, is to be thanked for his even quality and' clear enunciation. A very acceptable reinforcement of the programme was supplied by Miss Bary in her playing of the ' Siegfried Idyll' of Wagner, as an introduction to the cantata. The diminuendo of the finish must have pleased her tutor, Mr Gale—it was quite artistic. The Rev. John Miller (interim Moderator) made the announcements, one of which was to the effect that Mr Gale is shortly to give an organ recital.