"THE CREATION"

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 14

"THE CREATION"

HAYDN'S GREAT ORATORIO IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY Written over 130 years ago, Haydn's "Creation," as presentee! by tho Auckland Choral Society, impressed a large audience in the Town Hall last evening liy its majesty, freshness and beauty. Under the baton of Mr. Colin Mtistoii, the choir gave a most inspiring performance, aided greatly by a full orchestra uuder the leadership of Miss Edith Whitclaw. The three, solo parts, which v.'ero taken by Miss Winifred Hill (soprano), Mr. Len Barnes (bass) and Mr. Arthur Ripley (tenor), were admirably filled, and the work of the soloists in the many extremely difficult arias of the oratorio won them unstinted applause. "The Creation," which had not been given in Auckland since 1927, is the only one of Haydn's oratorios to have survived, but it remains as a perfect example of the simplicity and unpretentious beauty of polyphonic music. Ihe light and shade of the choir's work in the most, spirited passages, as well as in the lighter choruses, wa s one of the most outstanding features of the performance. Mr. Muston showed 11i»t he had perfect control over tone and volume, r.ud the result was a masterly interpretation of even the most difficult requirements of the subject.

Tho prelude iri "The Creation" is an instrumental representation of chaos, a void of dissolving and changing melodies, which is interrupted by tho bass recitative,. "In the Beginning," opening tho way for the majestic chorus, "Now vanish before the holy beams the gloomy shades of ancient night." The tremendous crcscendos which outline the despair of hell's spirits give way to a more peaceful phrase, "A new created world springs up," and tho contrast afforded by tho choir between the two movements was particularly effective. The creation of tho ocean s is the theme of perhaps the most important bass solo in the work, and in "Rolling in Foaming Billows," Mr. Barnes gave a powerful performance. This aria was preceded by a short but beautiful air, "The Marvellous Work," by Miss Hill, and chorus. Miss Hill's clear, charming voice was heard to even greater advantage in tho graceful air, "With verdure clad the hills appear," which describes the creation of herbs and trees and grass. Her perfect intonation and phrasing were notable features of all her solos.

Mr. Ripley's fine recitative and aria, "Lot. there be lights in the firmament" and "In splendour bright," preceded the best-known chorus of the whole work, "The Heavens are telling," which was impressively rendered. The allegro passages were taken very fast, but the tempo wag never lost, while the final sustained notes formed an impressive climax. Miss Hill's finest solo of the evening was probably -"On mighty wings the eagle soars," in which the purity of her voice was accentuated by the delightful orchestral accompaniment. The beautiful air, "In native worth," was Mr. Ripley's most successful solo, and he dealt very ably with the difficulties the score presents. His recitative, "In rosy mantle," which leads up to the final melodious duet between Adam anil Eve, taken by the bass and soprano parts, was also well received by the audience. The work was brought to an end by the magnificent chorus, "Sing the Lord, ye voices all," which in majesty, power and musical colour stands little below the best known choruses of "The Messiah." It made a fitting conclusion to one of the most successful performances tho Choral Society has given for some time.