MALE CHORDS OF 1200

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12406, 27 March 1926, Page 14

MALE CHORDS OF 1200

The concert given at the 71st Regiment Armoury, New York, by a male, chorus of 1200 v voices, was a truly inspiring one. The huge chorus repre- , sented 25 glee clubs, and was the third joint glee club concert held by the Associated Glee Clubs of America. The inaugural concert took place at Carnegie Hall, March 10th, 1924, wth 549 singing; at the second concert at the Metropolitan Opera House, over 800 par ticipated* for the third concert, the entrants were so many that the armoury was requisitioned. Walter Damrosch was the guest conductor. In the afternoon, the prize competition was held, the prize song being George Henschel'a "Morning Hymn." Each of the com* oeting clubs was also judged on its singing of a number of its own choice. William' Backhaus, the eminent pianist, who is to make a recital tour of New Zealand and Australia this year, under the direction of Mr E. J. Gravestock, has been playing with all his artistic colour in his recent appearances in London and New York, according to the Press niotices, and at hie New York concert on November 22nd, introduced a transcription by Ignas Friedman, also a distinguished pianist, of Johann Strauss's "Fruhlingsstimmen'* waltz. This transcription, dedicated to Backhaus, and played by him on this occasion for the first time in public, is of the most formidable technical difficulties, but these vanished under the commanding power ot the artist, whoso equipment is written of as marvellous, and his musical taste as impeccable. Lauritz Melchior. Danish tenor, has been engaged for the coming opera season at Covent Garden, London, and also for the Metropolitan Opera House.