Oamaru Musical Society.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XX, Issue 6247, 4 May 1895, Page 3

Oamaru Musical Society.

The members of the Oamaru Magical Society gave their fourth concert of the season last night in the Public Hall before a large audience. The programme, which was, if anything, too short, consisted mainly of Mendelssohn's "Lobgesang" (" Hymn of Praise ") and " Rossini's Stabat Mater," or, rather, it is more correct to say, the main portions of those works. There will, of coarse, be differences of opinion as to the comparative merits of these two compositions, bat those differences merely indicate divergent tastes. Those who seek in music massiveness and solemnity will vote for Mendelssohn; those whose senses are captivated by light and tunefnl measures, with here and there a toach of grandeur, will necessarily prefer Rossini. Suffice it to say that the two works are fairly typical of the two great schools of made—the German and the Italian; and they therefore afforded the society an opportunity for displaying a capacity for the study and presentation of music of a widely opposite nature. The highly praiseworthy manner in which the conductor and his forces came through the test must have been gratifying to those who recognise the great advantages of musical culture in a community, and who naturally watch with interest the progress of organisations such as the Oamaru Musical Society. Here we may mention that the Society does not yet embrace, as it ought, all the developed musical talent of the town, and that latent talent, too, which it is the society's fervent desire to develop. This drawback to the highest attainments would be removed if only the happy possessors of good voices would throw off their lethargy and make themselves and others happier by casting in their lot with the society. Our remarks are meant for all, but more particularly for the sterner sex, for the ladies certainly do make a nobler display in the society than the gentlemen do, and therein they shew their superior taste and greater refinement. What appear to be lacking are concentration and loyalty and adherence to duty on the part of those whose duty as well ns privilege it is to be regular in tbeir support of the conductor's unwavering enthusiasm, and we hope, for the sake of the cause of music in Oamaru, that these evidences of instability will not be so apparent when the Society's nest concert is given. We have dwelt at length on these matters, because it is more important that they should be noted than that we should indulge in a modified criticism of a performance which, though good ; might have been much better. But, now as to the performance. The first part comprised five numbers from the " Hymn of Pra'se," with two other songs wedged in. The chorus "All men all things" went well throughout, the attack and the lights ' ard shades receiving fair attention ; and tbe standard set at the opening was ma ; ntwincd in a'l the succeeding concerted numbers. But special mention must be made of the chorale, " Let all men praise the Lord," because, though it is necessary ; to bring great sustained power to bear npon it, the comparatively small chorus fcept going courageously to the end. True, once or twice the cues were hesitating, and the basses were a little inaccurate in their intonation, but such defects are observable in the best performances, more or less. M«ss Amy Lemon took the solo in " Praise thou the Lord," and she sang it we 1 .!. The gem of the evening was, however, the duet, "I waited lor the Lord," which was sung by Mrs Gould and Miss GifTord in a tunefully artistic manner, the vo'ces of the singers blending in perfect harmony ard the whole number being marked by depth of feeling and refined expression. Tbe efforts of the principals having been well seconded by the chorus cr d orchrstra, in whose parts there were exceedingly delicate effects, the result was a . musical treat of a very high order. The two introduced solos which completed the first part of the programme, were "I dreamt I was in Ileaven," from Co~Li's " Naaman," and " Let the bright Seraphim," from Handel's "Samson." With the first of these MLs Annie Jon:>3 scored a distinct triumph, the simple pathos of the theme, whrch constitutes the song's great est charm, being stud'ously develop-d. wh'lst the singer's enunciation was clear. Handel's florid and exactirg number rec&:ved sk'ifnl treatment by llrs Wat-cn, who upbe'd her reputation as one of our chief voca'tsti. Eat, it was a pity that, owing to tbe impossibility of obtaining the parti, she had not tbe advat»t~.ie of a iu". orchestral accompaniment to sustain her. As we have already ind T cat:d, the second p,*rt of the programme comprised the greater jjorl ; on of Ross'ni's "St»bat Muter." In tb'stbesoc : eiyalt. ; ncd one of its greatest succ- i. Whatever there was of chor- 1 work went grard'y. and all the solos weie exce I, ent , y sung. Only on ore previous occ.js'oi has Mr Wi"ian>soo been heard to such adrant.::;e as be was last n :, sht with tbe a'r "Lord vouchsafe," into wh : eh he infused a great de Jof spirit. Mr Ro-e gave a fine rendering of " Through the darkness," and Mr Bas'l Seth-Smith's s : T v ini of tbe sbori: ine'dentil solo? in " Ttioa lias trrd our hearts made o"e nrpret tbe : r and inspired a hope that h ; s gftird bass vo'ce wiU be he..»d a'.ain before long. The civat*na "I w :i l sing of Thy great mercy" and the a : r " When Thou comet" respectively afTo-ded Mrs Gou'd and Mrs Lynch opportuoit'es for displaying their qua'»t ; e": as vocalists, and both availed thetrselves of these to the fu 1 !. The " Inflaromatos " chorus went with spirit, the choir being po;sib!y inspired to spcc-al effort by the manner in which Mrs Lynch gave the so'o part. Of Mr Roie's corduct'Pg it is need'ess to say more than that t*?e who'e concert displayed the value of his d : rect»ng hard. Mrs Cooke at the p ; ano was ipd*spensab'e as usual, and the orchestra did some excellect work, albeit it would have been improved by the addition of reeds. Altogether the concert was one of the best that the Soc : ety has given daring the coarse of its successful career.