A MUSICAL TREAT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 250, 5 October 1932, Page 3

A MUSICAL TREAT

WOMEN'S CHOIR ON OCTOBER 10,

EXCELLENT PROGRAMME ASSURED.

It was very interesting to attend om of the final practices of the Hastings Women's Choir on Monday, and to hear the programme which is to be rendered on Monday next in the Assembly Hall. This choir has made great progress since its recent reorganisation, and a number of the best youthfui singers in Hastings have now joined, so that it will be possible at their only concert for 1932 to hear many of our finest solto voices blended in beautiful harmony. The items to be rendered next Monday are all tuneful and many are also well known. Varied musical tastes have been studied, so that the songs should please uli who attend the concert. The song known for musical grandeur, '‘Creation’s Hymn” (Beethoven), has been given already in Hastings bj many great artists, and is always an outstanding favourite. This is sung in unison by the choir and will be followed as a contrast by the “Skye Boat Song,' l a lightly lilting refrain again m unison. A madrigal, “The Silver Swan” (Gibbons) shows a wonderful richness of tone and interest in harmonic cadences and interwoven phrases, the effect being musically veil pleasing. A part song “Tell Me Where is Fancy Bred” (Calcott) js delightfully and brightly interpreted and is certain, to be a favourite. Then again, beautiful part singing is shown in Dvorak's “While 1 Think of You, ' founded on the largo in the “New World” symphony. The individual voices blending m this item express, the pretty air in a refrain which is tuneful and melodious. Again very different is the item from lolanthe (Sullivan), "Fairies Tripping.” Misses B. Adams and B. Emmett, who have pretty, youthful soprano voices make this song lightsome and charming and the whole chorus joins m with the well known rtf rain. More ambitious is the part song “Most Gentle Moon” (Jules Harrison) Here the full harmony of the choir is heard in delightful, unaccompanied part singing, in which the lull strength of the many voices shows to advantage. In conclusion, by special request, “Ave Maria” (Schubert) and the part song “Celtic Lullaby” wil‘l be given. The former is expressed by the choir with very fine legato singing, the crescendo and diminuendo work showing finished technique and training. The latter is a simple little refrain sung in a charming manner which cannot fail to please everyone. Madame Mercer, of Napier, has been engaged by the choir as soloist. Her first song will be “Peace” (Fogg), Later in the programme four folksongs wiM be sung by this well known vocalist, whose rich contralto voice has been popular with all who possess a radio, for she has broadcast many times.

After Madame Mercer had sung at the Wanganui Orchestral Society’s concert the Wanganui “Chronicle” spoke of her thus: “A contralto of fine deep tone, she has a range possessed by few singers of her class, and her upper register, an extensive one, was every bit as full as her top notes, ringing out clear and true.”

Most enjoyabfe quartettes will be given by the following well known performers: Miss Williamson (viola), A. Christie (flute), M. Saxby (’cello) and H. Cooper (violin). This is probably the first time that these particular quartettes have been performed in New Zealand.