CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11554, 15 April 1898, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL UNION.

Although the programme provided by the Christchurch Musical Union last night was varied, it was principally noticeable for the fact that it contained a work by a New Zealand-born composer. Mr Alfred Hill, although a native of Wellington, is well known in Christchurch, firstly as a composer of songs, and secondly as a violinist. About a couple of years ago he decided to launch out into a composition of a more pretentious character, and he collaborated with Mr Arthur Adams, of Wellington, in a cantata having as its basis the romantic Maori legend “ Hinemoa.” Mr Adams wrote the verse, and Mr Hill set it to music, and both have achieved a certain measure of success. The theme is charming, and the composer’s conception of it has a great deal to recommend it. Perhaps Mr Hill’s work is rather more imitative than suggestive, but, be this as it may, the result is effective. A real Maori melody is used as the motif round which the cantata is written, and all through an attempt, sometimes effectual, occasionally ineffective, is made to produce music having as its fundamental basis the melodies of the native race. Hinemoa, the heroine, is allotted by far the most conspicuous part in the cantata. A solo, 1C When the Tired Winds are Sleeping,” is plaintive and melodious, but hardly so tuneful as the ballad “There is only the Laughter of Rippling Wave,” the effect of which is materially enhanced by certain answering passages with which it is interspersed. The duet “Are You the Maiden?” for Hinemoa and Tiki, is perhaps the finest number of all. It is infinitely superior to “Over the Wave” for Hinemoa and Tutanekai, the tendency of which is towards the commonplace. Tutanekai’s first solo, which reintroduces the original melody, is sweet and romantic, while his second, “ Who is the Slave ? ” is thoroughly appropriate to an intensely dramatic situation, and the prologue sung by Tohunga possesses originality. Of the choruses, “Ra-ha, Ra-ha,” the celebrity of which had preceded it, is really striking and descriptive, and it was deservedly encored. The chorus for the fairies is pleasing, but that sung by the Maori maidens is less meritorious, and the concluding number in march time hardly provides a suitable climax. Mr Hill has not spared his vocalists. Hinemoa’s music is distinctlv trying, and although Mrs Burns sang it *as artistically as circumstances permitted, she was occasionally very much overweighted. Nevertheless, she deserves credit for making the very most of her voice, for singing charmingly, and for paying heed to the intentions of the composer, Mr Maitland Gard’ner’s singing of Tutanekai’s solo, “Awake, My Tender Thrilling Flute,” was hardly legato, to be entirely successful; but' “Who is the Slave ?” was vigorously given, and in the duet, “Over the Wave,” Mr Gard’ner accomplished satisfactory work. Mr Hockley achieved an unmistakable success in the very small part allotted to Tiki, and Mr Sydney Hawker sang the prologue creditably. The choruses, for the most part, displayed signs of having been carefully rehearsed, and the clever orchestralisation with which the work abounds re-, ceived careful attention. A short programme of instrumental and vocal items preceded Hinemoa. Miss Alice Gray sang “ The Soul’s Awakening,” a somewhat meretricious composition by Percy Haddocks, very nicely indeed, but Mr Sydney Bell failed to infuse sufficient vigour into his rendering of Pinsuti’s “ The King’s Minstrel.” The overture from Mendelssohn’s Buy Bias was played really well, especially the portions of the work devoted to- the first violins, but “The Turkish 'March,” from Beethoven’s The Ruins of Athens, lacked weight. The two movements from Mozart’s concerto in A major, consisting of a solo for clarionet, an inspired composition conspicuous for perhaps - the* truest and purest melody ever written by the hand of a human being, constituted certainly the principal feature- of the concert. The solo was exceedingly well played by Mr D. Sinclair, who was really effective both in the lovely slow movement and in the light and involved allegro. r - Mr F. M. Wallace, as usual,, conducted, ‘ while Miss Packer led the orchestra. Miss Jennie West acted as accompanist.