WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18752, 4 January 1923, Page 9

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS

MR BRANSCOMBE’S TOUR. A MUSICAL FAREWELL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, November 2S. Next week Mr Edward Branscombe accompanied by Mrs Brenscombe, leaves for New Zealand by the Ruapehu with his party of Westminster Glee Singers, on his Australasian tour, 1923. „ , . .. . A few days ago Mr Branscotnbe invited a number of friends to a private concert at the Imperial Hotel, Russell Square. His idea was to have just a little friendly well gathering of musical friends and to sing to them one of the tour programmes The guests present included: Mr and Mrs Stemdale Bennett, Mr Leo Chermavski, Mr and Mrs Michael Cheniiavski, Mr and Mxs Fraser Gange, Mr and Mrs George Morgan (nee May Brahe), Mr and Mrs F. Ranalow Ur J. C. Bradshaw (Christchurch). Mr T. Queree (Wellington), the Rev. L. Hurd, Mr and Mrs Andrew Pace (formerly of The Dandies”), Miss Maud Allan (the well-kno-wm dancer), and Mr William Fell (.ate of Westminster Abbey). . Mr Branscombe warned his friends not to expect too much, maintaining that it was impossible for any party of singers to approach to a high standard of perfection until there had been publio performances—it was those public appearances that gave the singers the necessary finish. A very enjoyable programme followed, made up chiefly of unaccompanied part-songs, madrigals, and glees. One of the most interesting numbers was the 1560 composition, "Going to My Lonely Bed.” Mr Branscombe described this period in British musical history as very interesting. Each of the male vqpalists was heard in a solo. Mr Alfred Cunningham (baritone), who is already well known in the dominion, gave a beautiful interpretation of Allitsen’s "Song of Thanksgiving.” The base (Mr John Andrews) sang Hugo Wolf’s "The Gardener.” The alto (Mr Donald Reid), who has resigned his position in St. Paul's Cathedral, has a voice of very appealing quality. He sang “Rosebud,” his excellent accompanist being Master Harry Collier, one of the small boya of the party, and reputed to be one of the most talented pianists of (he London School of Choristers. Master Collier, too, is regarded as among the most, noted boy soloista in England. All the six boys have been chosen from this school. The youngest, Master Albert Cooper, who is only 12 years of ago, is the possessor of a very sweet voice, which was well, suited to his little solo, “The Swallows.” It is unfortunate that the chief boy soloist, Master Edmund Walter, should be laid up with scarlet fever, but it is hoped that he will join the tour in the course of the next two months. The salient characteristics of the boys' voices are their beauty, purity of expression, faultless articulation. Their singing of a suite of nursery rhymes composed specially for them by Sterndalo Bennett, was an item that no doubt will be very popular in the dominion, A trio for male voices which is sure also to bo popular is the amusing “Peter Piper.” Mr Branscombe is taking out some new arrangements of Christmas carols as well as some favourite anthems. The voyage will provide the necessary time for final rehearsal, and the tour should be the means of affording very many pleasant musical evenings. SOME BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS. Mr Donald Reid began his career as a boy soloist at Canterbury Cathedral, and then ho came to Westminster Abbey. Before being selected as solo alto for St. Paul's Cathedral ho was organist and choirmaster at Newport Pagnell Church. He has conducted the North Bucks Diocesan Choral Fwtfra! as well as other choral societies. ttewral of his own will be included! in the dominion programmes. Mr E. Vizard (tenor) was soprano soloist at Gloucester Cathedral as a,boy, and subsequently he became leading tenor in Birmingham Cathedral, being appointed from there soloist at Christchurch, Oxford. He is well known in sporting circles, having distinguished himself in sculling, swimming, cycling, and boxing. Mr John Andrews (baas) cornea from the north of the Tweed, and as he is a fine exponent of Scottish songs he is sure to bo extremely popular. Mr Cunningham (baritone) waa four years ■with the “Scarlet Troubadours," and since then he has appeared with marked success at a number of London theatres, including Drury Lane, London Opera House, the Coliseum, and the Alhambra. Mr Neilson Roberts (tenor), whose name was given a few weeks ago as forming one of the party, is evidently not going.