THE CHORAL SOCIETY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23490, 30 October 1939, Page 12

THE CHORAL SOCIETY

"CREATION" PRESENTED SPLENDID SINGING BY CHORUS The main feature of the performance of Haydn's "Creation," which was presented by the Auckland Choral Society in the Town Hall on Saturday night, was the splendid singing by the chorus. This oratorio, which throughout its pages reveals the great genius of Haydn, contains some fine choruses, and it provides numerous opportunities for a large choir to stir the emotions of an audience. The choice of such a beautiful and inspiring work was a happy one. Opening with an orchestral overture, representing the chaos that existed at the beginning of the world, the oratorio tells of the coming of God and of His creations up to tho final appearance of man, and ends on the happy note of praise-giving. With its succession of choruses, airs and recitatives, duets and trios, the composition provides a wealth of emotional music that cannot fail to hold the interest and admiration of the listener. Of the choruses the deepest impressions were made in "Awake the Harp," "The Heavens Are Tolling" and "The Lord is Great." In addition to these "Achieved is the Glorious Work" and "Sing the Lord Ye Voices All" were powerfully built up to make two splendid climaxes to the second and third

parts. respectively. The soloists were Miss Mary Murphy, soprano, Mr. Lambert Harvey, tenor, and Mr. Eric Child, bass. In tho somewhat difficult soprano solos Miss Murphy sang with apparent ease. In some of the passages a larger voice is required to satisfy the demands of the music, but any deficiency in this direction was more than made up by tho pleasing quality and flexibility of Miss Murphy's voice. Her most successful numbers were "With Verdure Clad"

and "On Mighty Pens," in which the delicate ornamentations were clearly and accurately performed. Generally Mr. Harvey sang with considerable artistry and evinced a sound knowledge of oratorio style. Tho bass w:w very successful in the light passages and in many places his lower notes contained an admirable richness of quality. Although in many of these solos the music calls for a larger voice, Mr. Child sang that great number "Now Heaven in Fullest Glory Shone," with considerable abandon and won a good measure of applause. The orchestra, led by Miss Edith Whitelaw, would be more satisfying if the players would assemble sooner in order to adjust the pitch of their instruments. This bad fault can be rectified. Mr. Trevor Sparling added to the enjoyment o£ tho performance by tasteful assistance at tho organ, while tho conductor, Mr. Colin Muston, was responsible in 110 small measure for the success of the performance. At tho conclusion tho large audience joined in tho National Anthem.