SOLDIERS’ CHOIR

Evening Star, Issue 22989, 21 June 1938, Page 11

SOLDIERS’ CHOIR

FIRST CONCERT OF SEASON The Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Choir seems to be an ageless combination, for its members are singing as lustily now as they did in 1919, when they banded together to give their first public performance. Last night’s presentation in the Town Half Concert Chamber was the fifty-eighth of the series, and once more it was made plain that, while old soldiers never die, neither do they fade away. If the artistic values of these concerts waver somewhat that fact is comparatively unimportant when one sees and hears the spirit and vitality behind the choir’s music. Last night’s work was of average quality. There was some very good singing—and some very indifferent singing. This deficiency could be largely attributed to some of the first tenors, who, in an otherwise praiseworthy endeavour to lift the choir, very often forced their voices and introduced a decided harshness into the concerted effects. It is in the quieter and more reflective works that Hr Leech shows rhe choir otf at its best, and in this respect there was some reallv charming music last evening.

Tilde ivns nothing very complex in i lie eliornl programme. ;m<l it was given a simple ami clear analysis. The choir opened with ‘ On the Iloud to Mandalay,’ by Oley Speaks. This work loses much of its individuality in choral arrangement, and inclines to the laborious. But it was a decided pleasure to hoar the choir sing .Schubert's lovely ‘By the Sea ’ This was interpreted with delicacy and feeling. Attwood's ‘ Hark! the Curfew’s Solemn Sound ' was also sung with effective restraint. Next came ‘Benediction of the Alps,' by Baidamus, with Mr R. Duerden as soloist. This was finely modulated, and with the ‘ Pilgrims’ Chorus ’ from ‘ Tannhauser ’ was the best performance of the evening. In the latter a striking climax was achieved.

It was a real pleasure to hear, for the first time in many years, that (inc duet. * Tiie Moon Hath I’nCed Her Bump Above.’ from Benedict's almost completely forgotten ‘ Lily of Killarmry.’ It is a most melodious duet for a good tenor and bass. and. the more’s the pity, is never snug these days. This choral setting was very agreeable.

Gericke’s part song, ‘ Autumn Sea,' was bracketed with a humorous interlude, ‘ A Mistake,’ by Hunt. In this lighthearted affair one of the characters was called upon to give voice to “ a tearful scream,” and a tearful (feminine) seream certainly did eventuate in the wings. It was brilliantly managed - and the choir (which enjoys nothing better) was one up on the audience. The concluding' work was Do Hide's lively ‘ March of the Regiment.’ There was the usual array of soloists to give variety to the programme. Miss Jean Uoggans, an Associated Board gold medallist, clearly demonstrated high promise in her violin solos. She first played the Wieniawski ‘ J.egende/ U'id later Monti’s exciting ‘ Czardas,’ two encores being insisted upon. Miss Hoggaus has an exceptional tone ami equally unusual technical equipment tor a young violinist, and these qualities are allied with an attractive personality. Much niore, one hopes, will he heard of her. Miss Nellie Pickett, another young instrumentalist, showed an arresting strength and clarity in her piano solo, the Delibes-Dohnanyi Naila ’ waltz, giving an authoritative performance of a difficult work. Miss Pickett was associated with Miss Ruth Moore in a piano duo, the ‘ Waltz of the Flowers,’ from the Tschaikowsky | Nutcracker ’ suite, in which they were in excellent accord. Miss Phyllis Clare gave her two groups of songs a highly intelligent interpretation, singing with breadth and dignity. Her best work was the Schubert * G retch cn at the Spinning Wheel,’ which had vivid colour and fine dramatic value. Mr George Crawford was the soloist troin the choir, singing the Marshal ballad, ‘ f Hear You Calling Me,’ very pleasantly, Miss Sybil Baker provided her usual deft accompaniments.