“THE CROSS OF CALVARY.”

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 14 April 1927, Page 2

“THE CROSS OF CALVARY.”

ST. MARY’S CHOIR

A FINE WORK

The wondrous story of the Cross is told in graphic and .striking language, set to beautiful interesting .music by several composers, for performance during Passion Week. Of these one of the most expressive is Dr. Challinor’s “Cross of Calvary,” which was selected for performance last night at St. Mary’s Church by their choir. It is a work that includes many beautiful and effective choral numbers, for combined voices and for male voices only, interspersed with a running, graphic series of recitatives, which .’ink up the whole story. These are all appropriate and fitting, hut the feature of the work generally is the concerted sections. They include many which are difficult, and some introducing somewhat intricate harmonies with some hue fugal passages, testing the ability of anv body of voices. The choir of St. Mary’s, in their general interpretation of these .several numbers, acquitted themselves with much credit. They reached a good standard of performance, and many of the effects were reallv excellent.

A "bright and pretty chorus is the prelude to the story “Tell Again the Wondrous Story.” It concludes in an interestimr finale, giving the injunction to “Borrow deeper knowledge of His love.” The. choruses in which the choir showed nicest balance; and blend were “Deener than the Deepest Depth.” “Oh! Direful Sin,” and “O Crucified!” In all these the effect was excellent, the parts combining well; but _ the alto was not ouite strong enough in parts. In the beautiful' chorale, the first verse was a trifle ragged, but the concluding verse was quite good. Generally, the choir gave, a very creditable interpretation of the various movements, were well under control, and the grades of expression were well marked. Their unison passages were particularly good, while the difficult fugal work was effective.

The recitatives were taken in good styte and sung with appropriate, feeling by Messrs A. E. Morris, F. W. Sutton, T. Herbert and H. L. Chadwick. All acquitted themselves well. The nature of this section demanded very accurate and expressive singing, for naturally they were not so easy or so a tractive as a series of arias. All the soloists did themselves much credit.

To the. organist, Mr L. Rowe, the conductor and choir owe much for his very sympathetic and artistic playing of the very beautiful and .striking accompaniments. He showed a musician,ly sense in his choice of registration., and his playincr provided just the right balance to the voices, and never obtruded itself. Particularly good was the “Procession to Calvary.” This gave him most scope and of it lie took full advantage. His playing was a feature of the performance. The conductor, Mr G. A. Burgess, had hi,s choir well under control, and their work .showed ample evidence _of his careful training. He is entitled to much commendation for his conduct of the, cantata.

There was a very large congregation, the church being quite full. Much appreciation was felt for the work of the choir and soloists. It adds one more to the many good efforts given by them m the past. At the beginning and closing of the work prayers were read by the vicar, Rev. H, W. Monaghan, and Passion hymns sung by choir and congregation.