FIRST CHURCH CHOIR

Evening Star, Issue 19710, 10 November 1927, Page 11

FIRST CHURCH CHOIR

'dIEATIOr WORTHILY SUNG The presentation of ‘The Creation’ at First Church last night by the reinforced church choir under the direction of Dr Galway was nicely tuned, for Dunedin has been rather short of nig music lately, and* our .people gladly thronged to tho church, as to an oasis, The herbage' looked inviting. the Creation ’ is as much loved and respected as in the days of our fathers.' Amb on this occasion dt . once more yielded satisfaction and enjoyment. It was-a great pleasure to hear the, old music respectfully and ably treated. Much of the success achieved was due to ■ the glorious certainty of the instrumental part, which is of peculiar importance in this oratorio, as delivered on the organ by #r Galway. The ■introductitms and accompaniments came forth with character, disclosing delights that are hard to got from an orchestra. The representation of chaos was a masterpiece in interpretation and execution, the sense of elemental, solitude and greatness _ very surely conveyed. How impressively, too, the first daybreak effect was worked up, in which connection it may bo noted that the choir put the finish on the organist’s work by approaching the double-forte bar with a firm staccato that burst naturally into the impressive climax—a result that would have been impossible if the singers had merely saved themselves for a violent assault on the long note. In other parts of the concert similar co-ordinations between the playing and the singing were observable, and Dr Galway’s wonderful coloring effects all through must have been a great help to the There seemed to bo no limit to his imagination. It is deserving- of remark, also, that Dr Galway -was not only doing the work of an orchestra. Ho often used his right hand for directions to tho choir if ho felt that a littlo steadying was called for, usually in the way of curbing a rush, for the choir never showed the least sign of dragging. Alertness was one of the good points about all tho choruses. Clear enunciation was another. Excellent tone is to ho added as a third. And if the alto part had been a littlo stronger tho balance would have been right. Sopranos were consistently, bright and fluent; basses as firm as a rock; tenors very good indeed, particularly in the strenuous passages of “ Tho heavens are telling”; and in addition tho reading was confidant and the pitch always sustained. There was not a missfire in any one of the seven choruses presented, and it may also he said that all were equally well studied—a much better plan than to spend the preparations on one or two numbers and let the rest take their chance. Miss Mcda Paine, tho soprano soloist, made ji delightful beginning in “The marv’Jous work,” its range of two octaves not distressing her in the least nor forcing her to formality at the expense of tho required gaiety, and, _ if this achievement left Miss Paine’s voice a little tired for subsequent solos, “ With verdure clad ” and “ On mighty pens,” it must he acknowledged that she read them in scholarly fashion. Mr Alfred Walmsley, in fine form, sang the tenor solos brilliantly, especially “ Now vanish.” His singing was conspicuously true. Mr F. C. Cooper, though apparently troubled with a huskincss that interfered with his soft singing, made good uso of his noble* voiro in such solos as “ Straight opening,” where lie could lawfully let go. It was a concert that would be gladly heard a second time.