HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 224, 26 February 1875, Page 2

HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

HAYDN'S CREATION.

The seventh concert of the Harmonic Society was given last evening at the Canterbury Music Hall, and we were glad to see so large an attendance, the body of the hall being rilled. The work selected was Haydn's "Creation," one which, from its intrinsic merit as a composition, together with the bright descriptive character of the music, has always been a favorite oratorio. We are glad to be able to congratulate the society upon the thorough and complete success attending the production; the manner in which the various numbers were given, evincing a careful study and intelligent comprehension of the master on the part of all engaged. The band especially deserves notice for the admirable manner in which they discharged the duty devolving upon them, their playing throughout being excellent. The introduction representing Chaos was carefully given, the various instruments working well together, and giving, though comparatively small in number, a very good rendering of it. The bass recitative" In the beginning " went well, the gentleman undertaking it singing it with taste and expression, and also with a clear and distinct enunciation which added greatly to its success. The tenor air " Now vanish before the holy beams" only wauted a little more dramatic expression imparted into it to make it perfect, and the chorus " A new ereated world" was very good, the movement being taken up smartly and in time; the piano portion especially being rendered very nicely and with due regard to light and shade.

The bass recitative " And God made the firmament" displayed the trained voice of the gentleman singing it to great advantage. It was very carefully sung, and the orchestra deserved credit for the manner in which the accompaniment was played. In the solo and chorus which follows, "The marvllous work," the treble solo part was very nicely sung, and the chorus went capitally, the staccato passages being rendered clearly and distinctly and with good effect. The recitative " And God said" and that most dramatic of airs " Rolling in foaming billows," went excellently, the idea of the master being well worked out by both singer and orchestra in the latter. The beautiful melody of themovement commencing" Softly purling" was given with much delicacy in taste, and as a whole we regard this as one of the best rendered numbers of the oratorio. The treble recitative, "And God said," and the beautiful air, " With verdure clad," were entrusted to a lady who has frequently sung at oratorios, and who deserves every credit for the manner in which she acquitted herself. The rune with which the latter air is embellished, strongly resembling Handel's music, were taken clearly and without difficulty, and the whole rendering showed a careful study of the piece, combined with considerable taste and musical knowledge. The next chorus, " Awake the harp," went capitally after the first few bars, in which it was hardly taken with spirit enough. However, after these had been got over, the voices worked together better, and the result was a success. We should have liked to have seen the staccato passages somewhat more maTked, but this was the only fault which could be found with the rendering. The tenor recitatives, "And God said," and " In splendour bright," were well sung, particularly the latter, and we may also notice with commendation the opening as played by the orchestra, which was very nicely given. In the grand chorus, " The Heavens are telling," which closed the first part, there was slight unsteadiness amongst the voices at the beginning, but this soon disappeared, and the chorus weut brightly and with success.

The second part opened with the soprano recitative "And God said let the waters," and the air " On mighty pens." These were most artistically sung, the runs and trills in the air being given brilliantly, and with decision. Indeed this was one of the geme of the erenipg. The two fojlow-

ing, "And God created," and "The angelfl," were given well, particularly the latoer. In the terzetto, " Most beautiful appear," the solos went well, and in the trio the voices blended excellently, being well balanced. The chorus, "The Lord is great," with the trio which occurs in places went capitally, more especially the crescendo movement, which was taken very nicely indeed by the chorus, and with good effect. The bass recitatives, " And God said let the earth," and " Straight opening her fertile womb," were fairly sung, and the accompaniment was well played. " Now heaven in fullest glory shone" was also well given, but the lower notes were hardly brought out so full as they ought to have been. "In native worth " was excellently given, and the gentleman singing this solo deserves credit for the taste displayed by him in this beautiful piece. "In rosy mantle" was also capitally sung by the same gentleman. " On Thee each living soul," and the duet "By Thee with bliss," and "Of stars the fairest," were well sung. Of the choruses, we can speak in terms of high commendation all were capitally rendered. In this part we may select for special notice "Achieved is the glorious work," and the final chorus " Sing the Lord." Altogether, as we have said, the concert was a most enjoyable one, and does credit to the society. Mr Knox conducted, and Mr Bonnington led, Mr R. Searell rendering good Service as organist.