MUSIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1217, 28 June 1895, Page 27

MUSIC.

Mendelssohn's cantata " Lauda Sion," adapted to English words under the title of "Praise Jehovah," was sung at St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral last week. This fine work is almost the only one of the composer's larger works'whieh-has-not hitherto been heard in Wellington, and it was given very appropriately in a church, having been originally composed for a church festival at Liege in 1846, the year o£ the production of " Elijah." The style of the music is broad and dignified, as befitted its origin,.,and the choruses received ample justice in _ last"'"week,'s, performance by the excellent choir of the Prb-Gathedral. There is one lovely soprano solo, " Lord at All Times I Will-Bless Thee," which was given by Miss Phoebe Parsons with delightful purity of voice and excellent expression. Another solo with chorus, " Sing of Judgment," was also admirably sung by Master George Prouse, one of the solo boys of the choir. A very fine quartet also received full justice at the hands of Miss Campbell, Miss Parsons and Messrs Pollock and Wright, the two gentlemen being visitors for the occasion. A small but excellent band of strings, thoroughly efficient in their work and led by Mr G. A. Kennedy, joined the organ in the accompaniments to the cantata, the effect being very good. The organ part itself was in the able and experienced hands of Mr> Tallis Trimnell, whose work was most artistic throughout, and who also played a'very fine choral with variations on a theme from ono of Mendelssohn's sonatas. The quaint movement, known as £ho Pilgrim's mfrreh, from the Italian Symphony, was also, given by the organ and strings with capital effect as an offertory,piece. The cantata had been

very carefully prepared by Mr Robert Parker, who conducted a performance which reflected credit on all concerned. The large congregation joined heartily in a verse of the National Anthem at the close of the service, in honour of the anniversary of the Queen's Accession. Mr Myles Birket Foster, of Trinity College, sails by the Ormuz, to conduct the musical examinations at the centres in Australasia. The examinations will begin in September.