FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23010, 11 April 1938, Page 12

FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY

KNOX CHURCH, PARNEIL SPECIAL CHORAL SERVICE The fortieth anniversary of Knox Presbyterian Church, Parnell, was celebrated by a. large congregation at the evening service yesterday, features being an organ recital and the singing of Frederick Iliffe's Easter cantata, t "Via Cruris," by the church choir, augmented by the Lyric Harmonists' choir to a strength of 40. The organ recital -was given by .Mr. ;; Claude Laurie, who played "Homage • Hymn" (Rowley), "Berceuse" (Hoilins), "Requiem No. 3" (Mailing), "Romance in D Flat" (Lemare), ' "Lied" (Wolstenholme) and "Prelude" (Hollins). So far as is known "Vis Cruris" had not been performed bj a church choir previously in New Zealand, and jpany music-lovers, some from, long distances, attended to hear it, /.. . A comparatively modern- work, in which discords are used effectively, its general theme is mournful and troubled, except in the last chorus when the mood is of rapture. Outstanding in it are the tenor solo, "Come Unto Me,'' in which peaceful music provides relief, and the duet, "Wherefore God Highly Exalted Him." Soloists were the Misses Thora Davidson and Vjri-, enne Scott and Messrs. Maurice Casey and Eric Child. Mr. W. H. Bennett was at the organ for the cantata, Mr. Claude Laurie being the conductor.