MUSIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1165, 29 June 1894, Page 26

MUSIC.

ORGAN RECITAL AT ST. JOHN'S. On Tuesday a very successful recital of music was given in St. John's Church before a large audience. The chorus numbered about 50 voices, and their part of the programme was performed in a most creditable manner. The music at St. John's has been greatly improved in the short time that Mr Peterson has officiated as organist and choir-master, and no doubt last night's success will greatly encourage both choir and choir-master. Tho principal choral item was "He Watching Over Israel," from Mendelssohn's "Elijah," which was given with steadiness and attention to light and shade all the more creditable{considering that the choristers sang without a conductor. In Spohr's beautiful anthem "As Pants the Hart" and Weber's slightly secular " Dona Nobis " in G, the choir sang with refinement and delicacy, supplying an appropriate accompaniment to the soprano solo, which was very well rendered by Miss Drummond. Mrs Parsons was in very good voice, and sang " With Verdure Clad " with an accuracy of intonation and finish worthy of all praise. Her other solo, Handel's pathetic air " Farewell, Ye Limpid Streams," was a finished representation of that lovely melody. " Lift Thine Eyes," by Mrs Parsons and the Misses Parsons, was very well, rendered. Mr Prouso's solo was Faure's striking song "Crown Ye with Palms," of which he gave an exceedingly effective reading; he also sang with fine dramatic declamation the opening£solos in u To Theo> (3j. reat , Goc |» Tne " Agnus Dei " preceding Weber's " Dona Nobis" was sung by Miss Steele, whose rich and sympathetic contralto voice suited the music admirably. In Mr Peterson's first organ solo Bach's " Toccata and Fugue in D, minor," he gave ample evidence of possessing not only the technique necessary for the proper performance of such a work, but also that artistic insight without which the beauties of such a masterpiece could neither be grasped by the performer nor revealed by him to the audience. In his other solos, notably in the beautiful movement from Spohr's Power of Sound Symphony, he was very successful in reproducing orchestral combinations, while his finished style of performance and his command of the beautiful organ at which he presides made his organ solos among the most enjoyable items of a very enjoyable recital.