MUSIC.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1261, 30 April 1896, Page 17

MUSIC.

THE LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT.

For the gemiscliter abend at Thomas’llall, the Liedertafol presented a concert of more than usual excellence. They gave us part songs in plenty, well chosen, sung with admirable balance of voice, in every way what part .singing ought to bo. Mr Parker’s baton controlled from first t> last, guiding the rhythm, regulating the expression, giving completeness to a harmonious musical expression which occupies a very high place in our local music. Pecker's “ Little Church” and Kjerult’s “ lfardanger,” a bracketed number, supplied a notable example. So did Reinhardt's “linage ol' the Rose,” with ttie solo delicately s ing by Mr Murrell, to a vocal accompaniment nearly perfect in its smoothness, delicacy and balance ol voice, the basses being very capable, soft, smooth and weighty, as indeed they were throughout tho evening. Roissiger’s part song “ Olaf Trygva=<m” and the old Jacobite melody harmonised by Mr Parker (the ir'kyc boat Jong) were admirable examples of part singing, with high dramatic declamatory effect. These are the best things wo have heard from flic Lie Icriafel. There were

other part songs, of Itorgt, Abt, Midler and Jiingst, the latter witli a solo capably given by Mr (troy, which, like the rest of the music, were very fine examples of unaeeomp mind singing, the most, agreeable kind of singing and the most dillieult that amateurs can he set to do. The Lie lorlafel certainly increased its reputation by its line performances. Mr Mac Hull' Itoyd played two selections— Rail's Mnlierziuo and another -witli admirable tone, delicacy and style, Mr R. I!. Williams gave us two songs -Oowen’s “The Children’s Home” and itennett’s “Maiden Mine”—in his pleasant, tuneful style, and Air I’. V. Waters sang Suliivan's “ If Doughty Leeds’’ with mumi earn and Lute. The stage was beautifully decorated, and the concert was an unqualified .slice,us. We eomplim ml the manageni mt 011 the heamidil programme they presented lo fie-ir audience, which, like all audiences, appreciates having tho words of the music supplied, in this e’a-e, however, the good cniiuei.if,ion of the singers male the attention almost unnecessary.