"MAGNA CHARTA."

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 260, 2 November 1909, Page 5

"MAGNA CHARTA."

When the Harmonic Society last year produced "The Messiah" with such "a" large measure .of success, the opinion. was expressed in these columns, that .when the choir and conductor got; better acquainted ' great things might be expected of the Society. The cantata "May Day" vfras,. perhaps, not as successful as it might have been, and the- undoubted merit in the . production of ■ "Magna Charta" comes therefore somewhat m the nature of a pleasing surprise; a surprise, though, not altogether unexpected. To a body of singers but lately come together the heavy music of "The Messiah" was a task of more than -ordinary magnitude, when one also considers the comparatively short time the oratorio was in rehearsal. "May Day" was a strange work, new alike to singers and conductor, and the -bulk of the members never seemed to take kindly to the music. In "Magna Charta" these disabilities were not present. There had been ample time in which to get up the work, the conductor looked upon it as an old and intimate friend, and the singing . members enjoyed their own parts in the production. The result last night was a complete understanding as between conductor and choir. Mr Handley Wells had his large company under perfect control,, and the various sections f under his baton were, as near perfect as possible in their timing and general ensemble. There was a slight want of unanimity in' attack in some of the choruses, notably in .the prologue. "Dear England, realm of beauty." This may be accounted for by the nervousness incidental to first facing the audience. At first there was some hesitancy as between the parts, and the balance was not always true; but as the music got hold of the singers they seemed one and all to lose count of audience and simply revelled in the concluding bars. It could be noticed during the singing of this chorus the marked improvement in the flexibility of tie individual voices, and this factor, which is simply a derivation of practical application, was responsible for a large amount of the enjoyment of the wnole piece by the audience. In the <'Hurra!" chorus the time .was taken toVfast. From the tenth bar to the end of the first. movement in this chorus in' the . repetition of the words "Hurra! hurra!" this was specially noticeable, the words sounding like' an -exercise in the Polynesian language. In the beautiful prayer "We Seek Thy Help, Thou Friend Divine" the more subtle contrasts of light and shade were not "always observed, but it was hardly to be expected yet awhile. from the Society. For instance the p. and p.p. passages were taken as of the one marking, but these are mere matters of detail

assiduous and long practice- | T&kca " a'U6g<'i " tio pid.jt.l £ finely rendered, and was a number of exceptional merit, marking, as it did, the best of all that was beautiful in the production. The devotional expression was well brought out, the bass line being particularly good in the supplication. The fugue which concluded the work "Exalt the Lord" was in a measure a disappointing climax to a very praiseworthy production. A fugue is a composition in which the melody or theme is given in one part and repeated in answer by the other parts in succession. The characteristics of a successful rendering of a fugue are therefore continuity and evenness of the several parts, good tone balance, and an intelligent presentment of the logical structure of the composition. The theme must receive due prominence throughout, and the individual parts be well sustained. In "Exalt _the Lord" the tempo was taken too quickly, some of the parts consequently being smudgy, with the result that, the theme was not fully sustained throughout, and hot. always recognisable. An item well rendered and pleasing from all points of view was the duet between Langton (Mr J. Rose) and King John (Mr Hoar). The voices blended well, and the singers were loudly applauded at the close. Another beautifully rendered number was the chorus in unison "How Long! How Longl" • Following their usual procedure the Society did not go outside the town for their_ soloists, but chose them from within their own ranks. This is wise, as it gives encouragement to the younger members who are ambitious to succeed in solo work. At least three of the soloists last night-;made their debut in heavy workj and their success has fully justified the choice of the committee. Mr Stamp's recit "and solo "Now am I King" and "Lord of England" pleased the audience very much indeed. Mr Stamp is a conscientious singer, arid his work is always well'done. He seemed slightly nervous at the outset, but speedily became at home and his rendering of King John's declaration was the best thing he has given us yet. Miss E. Bartlett has made a wonderful improvement since; she last appeared. Her voice is fuller and. rounder and she sings with more con.-' fidence. ''Ah, Then; Doth Justice mourn" was one of the features M the production, and she received quite an ovation at.the conclusion, supple-ment-ed by a bouquet of flowers. Mrs Canavan's solo "Sovereign With Visage Proud," was a very pleasing number, and she thoroughly deserved the marked approval of the audience. A bouquet of flowers was also presented to her.' She seemed' to catch the full spirit of the song, and 6ang the music with both voice and head. M-s R. McCallum had a catchy little solo in "Rejoice!. Rejoice!" and did it justice. Mr Hoar both in recit. and solo and in the trio gave evidence of a very .harmonious voice. ±le . sings with expression, and his voice is one which would well repay culture. Mr G. Litchfield had the bulk of the tenor music, and acquitted himself well, and Mr J.,Rose also was in good voice, .although he seemed to;^ire somewhat in the solo "Oh, Raise to God." Mr Lucas was down for one solo "Followed About," but did not do himself justice. He seemed to have trouble with his breathing, and the tempo was too fast for him. The overture was played by the Marlborough Orchestral Society, under Mr F. Hale. The choir sang as a finale the "Hallelujah Chorus," aid it could be noticed that the voices were as fresh and strong as at the commencement of the work..

During the. interval the Mayor (Mr A. McCallum) thanked the Society for giving them the concert, and filling up the gap on Jubilee night. He had been asked to say that "Magna Charta" would be repeated on the 18th November in aid of the Swimming Baths fund. ■.",•-.

The orchestral parts not having come to hand, the accompanying music .was played by Miss McCabe (organ) and Miss Dee (piano). The organist lent material aid, but the hard work of the accompaniments fell to Miss^ Dee, who once again added to her reputation as a sympathetic and conscientious pianist. To her is due in large measure the success of tie work. Mr Handley Wells (conductor) is also to be congra/t ulated oh his1 work. It speaks for itself., '~ \; ;