AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8541, 15 April 1891, Page 5

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

" THE CREATION." Last night Joseph Haydn's oratorio, " The Creation" was most creditably performed at the Choral Hall, by the Auckland Choral

Society. Haydn was 63 years of ago when he undertook the great work of his life. It was begun In 1790, and finished in 1798. When urged to bring it to a conclusion more, raplied, "I spend much time over ib, because I intend it to last a long time." On another occasion Haydn remarked, "Nover was I so pious as when composing ' The Creadon,' and I knelt down every day and prayed God to strengthen me for the work." "The Creation" was first given in private at the Sehwarzenberg Palace, on the 29th and 30th of April, 1795, and in public on March 19, 1799, at the National Theatre. The impression it produced was extraordinary, and the whole audience was deeply moved. In its popularity "The Creation" is only rivalled by that of Handel's ''The Messiah." " The Creation" is an exquisite picture of nature, and is characterised by grace, sweetness, and elegance of form, and by pure, healthy music. Haydn was a master of instrumentation, as he had shown years before in the "String Quartette," of which he was the originator, and in his almost innumerable symphonies, he being tho originator of the modern symphony. The overture represents chaos, its effect at first full and indefinite, and its notes destitute of perceptible melody, until instrument after instrument makes an effort to extricate itself, and as the clarionets and flutes struggle out of the confusion, tho feeling of order begins to make itself apparent. This was played with precision and effect by the band, and the gradations of tone were resonant and pure. The concert was a decided success in every way, and llerr Carl Schmitt, who conducted, deserves the highest praise for, the very able manner he trained the forces under his control. Every point in the work was brought out, tho attention to the marks of expression, phrasing, and accent being most carefully looked after. Herr Tutschka, the able leader of the orchestra, also deserves a word of praise. His lead was always firm and resolute, and in the beautiful solo passages he displayed great delicacy and feeling. The accompaniments were most creditably rendered considering the peculiar characteristics of the music. Tho performance of the wood, wind, and brass instruments was most effective. Miss Harding presided at theorgan, and considering the smallness of the instrument and its unsuitability, made the most of the accompaniments. Surely the time has now come when so flourishing an organisation as the Auckland Choral Society should endeavour to place an organ in the hall worthy of them, and one that would be a credit to the city, besides being so great a help to the success of the performances. Even last night the organ used proved what a help it was to the binding of the parts when the requisite instruments were nob available. The soprano solo music was shared by Miss Bleazard (Gabriel) and Mrs. A. Tayler (Eve), whilst Mr. A. L. Edwards sang the tenor part (Uriel), and the bass parts (Raphael and Adam) were sung by Mr. Archdale Tayler. There are no contralto solos in "The Creation," the reason being that there was no competent contralto singer available, at the time the work was composed. , Miss Bleazard and Mr. Taylor, two excellent musicians as they are, shared the success of the solo parts. The airs for the soprano require a voice well trained, and considerable facility in the singing of florid passages, more especially in the solo "On Mighty Pens." Miss Bleazard was quite equal to the task. The lady had evidently made her part an earnest study. The conception of the solo " On Mighty Pens," and her execution in so firm a manner of the various turns and trills with which this solo abounds, were most artistic ; and her performance as principal in the powerful chorus, "The Lord is Great," where tho solo music is again florid, and demands smooth execution, to bo acquired only by careful practice, was most faithful. The well-known aria, " With Verdure Clad," of which Haydn, himself was fond, and which he recast three times before he was sati-fied with it, was excellently given. Mr. Archdale Tayler fairly excelled himself last evening. Like Miss Bleazard, he had most carefully studied his part, and the solos were all within hisf range. His declamation in the recitatives was all that could be wished. The great solo, " Rolling in Foaming Billows?;" in which the music is employed to represent the effect of water, from the roaring billows of the " boisterous seas," and the rivers flowing in "serpent error," to " the limpid brook" whoso murmuring ripple is set to one of the sweetest and most delicious of melodies, received a masterly interpretation. Mr. Tayler's other great number wis the powerful and dignified aria, "Now Heaven in Fullest Glory Shone," which introduces the creation of man. In this Air. Tayler displayed great power of voice, and certainly never sang better. Theoxquisitely beautiful ariafor tenor voice, "In Native Worth," the second part of which is full of tender beauty, was admirably sung by Mr. Edwards. _ His enunciation was good, and the rendering of the solo was marked by great feeling. The orchestral introduction to the solo, "In Rosy Mantle," was very uncertain in time and tune. Mr. Edwards appeared to advantage in the recitative. In the trio with chorus, " The Lord is Great," Mr. Edwards was not quite successful. He omitted altogether the tenor run in semiquavers on the word "lasts." His declamation in his recitative " In Splendour Bright" was good. The beautiful duet "Graceful Consort," by Mr. and Mrs. Tayler, was most effective. This is not only the most delightful number in tho work, but in freshness and sweetness stands almost unsurpassed amongst compositions of its kind. The same may be said of the rendering of the duet and chorus "By Thee with Bliss," to which the answering choir replies with a gentle and distant effect, as if from the celestial heights, " For Ever Blessed be His Power." The chorus and band deserve special commendation for the very feeling and perfect rendering of the answer piuninvinw and the gradual crescendo on the words, "His Name bo Ever Magnified." A very excellent number was the terzetto, " Most Beautiful Appear," given by Miss Bleazard, Mr. Edwards, and Mr. Tayler, the voices blending exquisitely. The orchestral accompaniments left nothing to bo desired. In their trio, " On Thee Each Living Soul Awaits," the audience had a rich musical treat. The brilliant runs were accurately given, and the beauty of the music was fully observed. Better chorus work has not been heard for years. Every member of the choir, which consisted of 49 sopranos, 37 contraltos, 10 tenors, and 30 basses and baritones, besides 30 in tho orchestra, put thenwhole energy into their- work. Of the tenors too much cannot be said. Small in number, compared to the other singers, every note was heard throughout the hall, their effective leads deserving special j praise. The sopranos gave their minds to I their work, and their leads, and the delivery of the head notes throughout was perfectly in tune. The contraltos were good, but might have been better whilst the basses prove themselves quite equal to their task. A most successful chorus and one of groat power was tho fugal chorus " Achieved Is The Glorious Work." The leads were attacked boldly and firmly, and the xforzando on the secondary accent on the word "high," in the passages "He, Sole On High," showed good training. The accent is only to be found in the latter part of the chorus in the score, but the conductor wisely had it inserted throughout the number. Another great chorus, " The Heavens are Telling," in which the entire force of band and singers is employed in full, broad harmony and sonorous chords, leading to a cadenco of magnificent power, was sung perfectly. The volume of tone produced was great, and the gradual increase of the tempo towards the close was striking. Excellent choruses also were the opening chorus, " And:the Spirit," and also "The Lord is Great,'' " Awake the Harp, and the closing number, " Sing to tho Lord, Ye Voices All." There was a largo audience. His Excellency the Governor, the Countess of Onslow, Admiral Lord Charles Scott, and Mr. YValrond were present.. On Tuesday evening next the Society will pub into rehearsal Spohr's "Last Judgment," and one of Hadyn's masses.