SACRED CONCERT AND ORGAN RECITAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7258, 21 February 1885, Page 5

SACRED CONCERT AND ORGAN RECITAL.

A sacred concert and organ recital was given in St. Paul's Church last evening. By eight o'clock the building was tolerably well filled. The choir, which was a strong one, was reinforced by friends from other city churches. The concert opened with tho Prelude and Fugue in G. (Mendelssohn) which was well played by Mr. Hard wick, organist of the church. This was followed by the anthem, "In Humble Faith," (Dr. Garrett), the solo was well taken by Miss Holder. Next came the sacred song " Absalom " (M. Lindsay), very sweetly rendered by Mrs. Page. On account of the absence of the soloist, number 4, a recitative and air, " Sing ye Praise" (Hymn of Praise), by Mendelssohn, was excised, and Mr. J. A. Beale gave on the organ the "Gloria in Excelsis," from Gounod 'a "Messe Solonuelle," a morceau very characterises of the composer. After this followed the recitative and air, from Mendelssohn's "St. Paul," "But the Lord ie mindful," which was given by Mr». Revitt with artistic taste. Then came Spohr's anthem, "How lovely are Thy dwellings fair," with solo by Mrs. Raynes, who was in capital voice, and did fall justice to the measure. This was followed by the duet, "O, Lovely Peace" ("Judas Maccabseus"), eung by Mies Holder and Mrs. Nelson. This composition of Handel's is exceedingly difficult, but was very fairly rendered by these ladies. It was succeeded by hymn 259 A. and M., "Thy life we give to Thee," sung to a melody composed by the incumbent, Rev. C. M. Nelson. The next piece played by Mr. Hard wick was " Air in A", with variations, by Mozart, during which the offortory, in aid of the fund for the removal of the organ to the temporary church, was taken up, and .it amounted to £8 4sßd. "Plead Thou My Cause," from Mozart's <• Twelfth Mass" (Mr. Beale accompanying) was then uung. The next piece was likewiae'a composition of Mozart's, but in style a striking contrast to the former. The so'io portion was tastefully sung by Miss L. King. Then followed the overture to the "Occasional" oratorio, played by the organist. This is one of Handel's best known iatrumental pieces, and waa done full justice to by the executant. The two concluding pieces were the duet and chorus " I waited for the Lord" (Mendelsiohn's " Hymn of Praise "), the duet being taken by Mesdames Revitt and Kayneg, and the Nuno Dimitfcis in D (Dr. Garrett). The hymn "Son of My Soul," sung to J)r. Dykes' melody, and prayers by the incumbent, brought a most auccessful concert to a close.