CHORAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 20555, 6 August 1930, Page 7

CHORAL SOCIETY

•A TALE OF OLD JAPAN' A DISTINGUISHED PERFORMANCE The performance of the ‘ Elijah ’ some months ago firmly established the musical status of tho Dunedin Choral Society, and definitely indicated that its star was in the ascendant once more. Tho quality demonstrated on that occasion had only to bo evenly sustained and future success was assured. Thus it was with considerable pleasure that tho subscribers heard the ‘ Tale of Old Japan ’ in the Town Hall last evening, for this performance reflected, according to the merits of . the respective works, just as much credit upon all those concerned in its production. * A Tale of Old Japan’, is a singularly beautiful composition from the pen of Coleridge Taylor, set to 1 the equally beautiful words of Alfred Noyes. Tho music has a, wistful and haunting charm, requiring highly skilled interpretation more than correct singing. The understanding of the choir- last evening was quite apparent to the most inexperienced ear. Mr H. P. Desmoulins took the choir from the first rehearsal to the concert performance, and the results of his thoughtful study were transparently clear. He ■ must have been delighted with tho response of his choristers. The, reading of . the work was highly intelligent and imaginative. One of the most essential points to consider was that the choir got a remarkably fine atmosphere and preserved that atmosphere until the last bars were sung and played. There was not the slightest suggestion of blatancy or ostentatiouaness in the music, which was made all the more effective by a quiet sincerity of purpose. The tragic air was neither insufficiently emphasised nor overdone. The interpretation was a faithful one and represented an exact musical value of the work. As is generally tho case with the Choral Society, the ladies dominated the choir. The arrangement of singers, however, was such as to bring out tho best possible balance, 'and the weakness of the men (and • particularly , the tenors)' was consequently not so noticeable. The ladies , sang very well indeed, and showed tho utmost sympathy in ’all their work. The whole choral effect 1 was quietly impressive and gave ample evidence of careful preparation. The soloists were Miss Teresa M'Enroe, Miss Gwenda Burt, Mr Alfred Walmsley, and the Rev. L, A. North. Mr Ruffell was to have sung the baritone music, but a severe cold made his appearance out of . the question. Mr North courteously undertook to assume this responsibility. Even at , such short notice, .it goes without saying' that he discharged it with artistry. > All the soloists had a keen appreciation of tho value of their music and infused much colour and charm into their singing. One striking feature about the whole performance was Hie attention to . detail. This is one example : The’cantata ends on a very tragic note as the unhapp/ Kimi dies in the arms of Saw’ara, her former lover. After. the final poignant expression from the choir the orchestra must conclude a tragic theme. Last night not one chorister lowered or moved his or her score until the last bar came from the orchestra. That, is just a detail, .but one of those things that makes or mars an interpretative’ effort.The programme was attractively arranged. After the performance of the cantata (which occupied about an hour) tho orchestra gave its best showing of the eyening ini* playing a selection froth * The Gondoliers [ with charm and spirit. The four’, soloists of The cantata were then associated in the wellknown quartet from ‘ Rogoletto.’ This was very pleasantly sung and had to-be repeated before the audience was satisfied. (It was so vigorously interpreted that some over-eagerness was displayed). The concert was brought to a close with an extremely energetic performance of the ‘ Soldiers’ Chorus,’ from ‘Faust.’ The choir tackled this with great spirit, and a further encore was insisted upon. Tho whole concert was very enjoyable indeed.