ORGAN RECITAL

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1798, 22 August 1906, Page 72

ORGAN RECITAL

Tt was a great pity that the weather oil Aug. 14 turned out to be so uninviing, as prevented a great number of persona attending what in all probability will be Mr Cyril Towsey’e last organ recital before lie takes bis departure on his projected visit for the completion of his musical studies in the Old Country. However, those enthusiasms who were venturesome enough to make their way through the rain to the Sacred Heart Basilica, in Mill street, were well repaid for their hardiness. It was perhaps in keeping with the fitness oil things that Mr. Towsey's last recital as a student —for 'that is wha*t he modestly calls himself —should have been given on the fine organ which was the first lie was entrusted with the opening of in this city. When the instrument was completed a little over a year ago by Mr A. Hobday, Mr Towsey was asked to display its possibilities to tlie public, and. ihc result was. In every sense of the word, a great musical success. But last evening it was abundantly clear that the considerable amounV of experience which the young organist', has Had during the .last few months of the great: instrument at the Town Hall lias enhanced his control over the mechanism of llie organ and vastly improved his technique. Without die slightest hesitation he brought: all the combine! ions he wished to employ into use suddenly or gradually, as was desired, and without any of thro “feeling for the effort’’ which is so tedious ard irri a ting with players who arc* no familiar with the powers of the instrument, who are uncertain as to what they really want *(0 get at, or who do not know how to set about it. His registering last evening was in every respeei tasteful and musi-cian-like, and perhaps more so in Vhe matter of the accompaniments to ‘lie voice# of the singers than in the organ solos. Mr Towsey played with fine effect an oficrtoire of Batiste’s, ••Lomuro’s popular and.snlino in D Hat, a “medih.'iicu” by Callaei’ts, a “melody” by Tvachmnnioff, and Boellman’s “Suit Golhique,” which last-named piece formed one of the leading numbers at the opening of the organ. The vocal programme was supplied by M ’.«*» Lamacroft, Miss Agnes Segricf, Mr A. S. Ballance, and Mr J. I’. Carr. Miss Lamaoixift'., who is too rarely heard in solo, was admirably suited in Gounod’s “Oh, Divine Kedeemer.” It was given with a sympathetic tenderness and intelligent appreciation of the solemnity of the beautiful melody which would have won for the singer storms of applause had it been sung on a concert platform. Miss Segrief’s full and very pleasing voice was heard to admirable effect in Neidermeyer’s “Pater Ncdier,” wbieh is an extremely elegant setting of the sonorous Latin words. Mr Ballanos was to have sung Clifton's “Fcce Dews.” but as the church was occupied nearly the whole of yesterday with devotional services, it was found impossible to gc-*t an opportunity" of running through the piece with file organ, and Willebv’s “Grossing the Bar” had to lie substituted. The alteration was not a groat disappointment, for Mr Ballance did justice to the song, which is deservedly a favourite with him and with his audiencin whenever it is given. Air .T. F. Carr’s rendering of Gounod's “There is a Green Hill” was one of Hie finest we have had the pleasure of listening to for a long while. Intonation and enunciation were alike excellent, while every bar was a studv in aiVlstic expression. During the evening Archbishop Bedwood look occasion t oexproxs • his thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who took part; in so excellent: a programme, and also to those of the public who had braved the elements and ventured 'to go out to listen io it.