WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6769, 17 March 1909, Page 8

WELLINGTON LIEDERTAFEL

CONCEPT LAST.EVENING. Tho Wellington Liedertafel, of which too littlo lia» been heard for many months, oonimencod their new season with a very enjoyable concert in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hull last evening, under the conductorahip of Mr Hebert Barker, and in the presence of a largo audience. Tho programme was a varied one. including several numbers which the Liedertafel has on previous occasions given with good effect, and whicii wore repeated in a manner that gave iimnlto satisfaction to tho audience and wore heartily applauded. Hut these wore by no means the best of the society's performances. Von Weber's "Lutzow’s Wild Chase" was found to be in every respect a worthy example of the composer's parc-song writing, and althouga there was some little hesitancy and 'unevenness amongst thiQ voices, the result showed, in the main, that the members of the Liedertafel have not been entirely neglecting their studies during the period in which they have rarely been heard in public. A better exposition of their capabilities was beam in a quaintly comife sketch ‘’‘The. Goslings" (Sir J. I* 1 . Bridge), sung to a pianororte accompaniment, and in which fragments of Mendelssohn's ‘'Wedding Marcn" and Handel's "Dead March" were introduced with droll effect. The society's final effort for tbe evening was Mendelssohn's "Student's Parting Song," which was given as a farewell compliment to Mr r. Hockley, a poxmlar soloist of tho society, ■who is about to pay a, business visit to the Old Country. Mrs C. M. Hector, a pianist, who has plenty of execution and power, but who lacks somewhat in. sympathetic expression, was not well suited in her first number, a study by Chopin, oor yet in Mendelssohn's "Sprltfg bCYTg," but, in Coieridge-Taylor's "Papilion," and in a second study by Chopin she was heard to much more advantage. Miss Mina Oaldow, who was in very good voice, sang Willeoy s "Cuttin' Hushes" particularly well. Mr P. Hockley was, unfortunately, in anything but good health, and indeed it was only by a strong effort of will that he was able to attempt tho songs placed opposite his name on the programme. He struggled manfully, however, anu was heartily applauded for his exertions. Mr R. B. Williams contributed the tenor solo “When All \Vas Young" (Gounod'is “Faust"), to which ho had a violin obligato, played by Herr Max Hoppe, and the old ballad "Drink-to Mo_Only with, Thine Eyes." The humming accompaniment of the XnedertHei to this last-named number was much appx*eciated. Mr James Searlo had a similar accompaniment to Reichardt's "Tho Image of th£ Hose," and added another to his many successes at Liedertafel concerts. Mr J. F. Carr selected .for his solo a pretty little ballad of the old-English school, '‘Passing By," which was well sung and much appreciated. Mr Hugh Wright sang Squire’s "Lighterman Tom," and also received the congratulations of hia audience. One of the outstanding features of the concert was Herr Max Hoppe's violin solo "Enfin Seuls," by De-Angelis, ‘which proved to be a delightful melody, and .was treated very artistically. Tho pianoforte accompaniments were well played by Messrs Laurence F. Watkins, Mus. Hac., Robert Parker, and Eric Waters.