MUSIC OF EMPIRE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 9552, 1 July 1911, Page 6

MUSIC OF EMPIRE.

VISIT OF THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

A WONDERFUL PERFORMANCE-

Yesterday markedlhc Brontcst musica evont in the annals of 'Palmcrston-am the greatest that is likely io oceur until wo aro wain favoured with a visit by Dr. Coward's celebrated choir. The occasion was ono of those when such a circumstanco as inclement weather counts a*' noueht. mid thus it was that J crowd ' of "about' 2000 packed' tho Agricul- . tural Hall, where the concert was gitcn. For enthusiasm the scene would havo been difficult to..surpass: ovation alter ovation.was accorded to choir and in dividual performers, and during each number tho atiditneo was hold -enthralled. Tho effect of 'the concerted, number* was as of a mighty orgim/inaiiipulaicd by a. master musician. And indeed the master musician was there, for Dr.. Henry Coward must be 'accounted a very prince _:)f choir leaders. Under his magnetic ; influence voices and instruuK>nts-l)r. Harriss did not accompany the ;'urty v.o Palmei'ston-blendr-d in perfect harmony. Nor was brilliancy of execution eonspmi- .'■•'■• ous only by the company en masse; in responsive passages, counterpoint, and tonic alternations, there was a perfection ':... of rendering that appealed directly to . the educated listener's'sense of melodio . justice. That, tho members of the choir . should acquit themselves with such dm-' ,; tiiiction as they did, after , a trying ' amount of travel and exortiou, kindles a feeling of admiration stimulated by something akin to astonishment. _ Tho opening selection was the "Cbrona- ■ tion Odo" of Councillor Appleby and Mr Heley Foster, of _ Sheffield-a luudaUry theme, the expression of which was given ' ' its correct value by tho choir, supported admirably by tho orchestra. '. , _ .'' ■ Johaim Sebastian Bach, tho father of tho select order of Gorman composers of inspirational music, furnished a sublime •■ ■- example of his dovbtional- spirit in the ■ motet "Sing Yc to the Lord.'' Set for double choir unaccompanied; it enabled the performers to givo a -striking proof of their comprehensive ability. Tho work opens with an extended movement, dominated .by a praiseful strain. :i.!id •- very ' effectivo in counterpoint. - Tho ''Andante . Sostcnuto" following, which is sweetly liai'monised, is a responsivo scries divided ■ between first and second choirs, and is a fine study in attuned invocation. After a succession of responsive phrases of more ornamental conception, the motet concludes with a stately four-part fugue. The choir's interpretation of Bach's composition may bo summed up as a revelation. Who that has heard that gem from "The Messiah," "Comfort Ye,"" can ever forget its' exquisite tondorness, tho appealing charm of its refined cadenies? Certainly its treatment by Mr Homy Turnpenny, ono of the principal tenors, will remain a gratifying memory with his privileged hearers. His beautiful voico was undor perfect control, and rarely , were words and music wedded in such felicity ns in this product of the master , mind of Handel; when interpreted as adequately as in this instance, tho ideal is. complete. The threo items following were also chosen from "Tho Messiah." The chorus "And the Glory of tho Lord," one of the most difficult'in tho oratorio, was immediately impressive. Its exacting demands for precision and for absolute unanimity of attack, caused no distress to. tho oxcellently trained voices, and tho peculia* magnetism of the conductor was exemplified in the skilful control ho exer cised over the great volume of sound. .Tho sopranos were epocially noticeable for tho strength, combined with clarity 'of tone, with which they negotiated the. upper register. Tho basses gave a good robust delivering oh their part, and the requisite balanco was secured by the tenors and altos. t Although billed as a principal bass Mr 11. Charles-worth possesses a baritone voice of the fuil-bcdicd type. His solo, "Why do tho Nations;" found a most capable exponent, and the runs with which it abounds were taken by him in a very clean, manner and with ihe proper emphasis. Once or twico tho halanoe sounded a shade too strong on tho sido of sM k_.- the orchestra,-. . • ■•;.,-■■■.-• The next itom was ono which usually none but the best trained soprano singers care to undertake--"! Know that, my Redeemer Liveth," The theme is an ani. Litious one, and it is only when interpreted by a singer of Miss Taggart'j merit that it receives its full measure of justice. Her vocalisation was abovo (riticism; her voico is sweet and pure, and the rendering was intensely sympathetic. '.. When tho last soft strains' of the: subdued closing passage tad, died away, .the audience broke into a tumult of applause.' The wcrod collection which constituted tho first part, of the programme, concluded with the "Hallelujah" chorus, sung in a manner truly majestic. Tho'first'of the secular selections, which proved extremoly popular, was tho glee "The Long Day Closes," by tho male members of tho choir, the voices blending very pleasantly. Tho gleo "Striko tho Lyre" .was next given by the full company. It offered op- . portunities for artistic light and shade work which wore' availed of to advantage, and the choir was accorded a very hearty round.of acclamation. In.l'Sho Alone Charmoth My Sadness" I ■ ("Irene"-Gounod) Mr -Charles'worth was well suited. Ho sang, tho number magnificently, and the 'enthusiastic 1 encore was justly merited. Mr Charlesworth responded with "Tho Little Irish Girl," and gave a charming characterisation. "Tho Bells of St., Michael's Tower,", a part song by tho whole choir, was an outstanding feature of tho concert. The simulation of tho poal was'remarkable; one could hardly realise that tho sound was produced by human voices. As an enoore .number the' sprightly glee "You Stolo .my Love" was giv*n. a The''.charming "Waltz Song" of EdA ward German earned for Miss Taggart an *# insistent'enoore, arid she sang with true / sentiment, tho old Scottish favourite, "Cominlthro' tho Rye." Tho accompanied part song, tho "Comrade's _ Song of Hone," the setting of which is comparatively simple, was naturally produced to perfection. In "Tho Trumpoter," a somewhat heavy piece to place beforo a tenor, Mr Turnpenny's fine M nge of voice was put to a severe test, but he camo through tho trial satisfactorily,' and was recalled. lii responding with "My Dreams" (Tosti) he was heard to greater advantage, acquitting himself;with singular distinction.' The finale by the choir was a dance song from Elgar's "Bavarian Highlands," the - somowhat eccentric motif of which suffered nothing jn its exposition by the world's beat body of singers. Tho audience accorded three cheers each '\ to tho choir and tho conductor, and a similar:; compliment was paid to the committee and the Mayor ■ by the' members while at. aft'er- \ noon tea subsequently. Tlio choir left again by a< special train for Wellington, whero they gave a performance last night.