MALE CHOIR CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19277, 15 September 1924, Page 5

MALE CHOIR CONCERT.

The very largo audience which attended the 1461 h concert given by the Dunedin Male Choir on Saturday night in His Majesty’s Theatre pronounced unanimously in favour of the merits of the performance, and in coming to that conclusion those present were probably in most eases right. However, (o be a little critical occasionally is always of some benefit to anyone engaged on anything, so long as the criticism is not bitter. Such friendly criticism seldom, or never, finds a place in the ranks of a Dunedin audience attending a performance given by a local amateur combination. which is to be regretted. The only instance where criticism would be in exceedingly bad taste is where an entertainment of any kind is given for the benefit of some person in distress. In that case the services of those taking part are given gratuitously and for a benevolent purpose, and it would be ungenerous to the last degree to sot about fault-finding. But where a philanthropic purpose has not to be served a much healthier state of affairs would be created, in music particularly, if audiences paused before rapturously applauding players and singers who, with extraordinary celerity, seize upon the flimsiest excuse for making a second appearance. When an audience is, however, prepared to accept everything couleur de rose the performer naturally conics to the conclusion that, to put it colloquially, “they are doing all right,” while they are very far 1 from doing that. It is misleading, and even mischievous in its results. So far as the Male Choir's singing went it was certainly very good; it always has been that for a good many years. The singing of the choir was the best portion of tlie programme, yet, though applauded, nothing was repeated. On the other hand, all the other items, outside the part songs, were added to without—it has to be admitted—the applause reaching the recall stage. The choir opened the concert by singing Sullivan’s “The Long Day Closes,” rendered in memory of Mr Jesse Timson, who was conductor of (ho choir for 2.6 years. It was most expressively treated, and some lovely soft effects obtained. Edward German's “Sleeping,” presented to the choir by Mr John H. Oliver, was equally well sung. Naturally a very peaceful theme, the choir rendered it quietly and delicately. Hcgar’s “The Phantom Host came as a relief after about half a dozen selections of a very similar complexion. It may bo suggested that a programme more broken up would be acceptable to an audience. A succession of sad or serious items, without a break, is apt to have a depressing tendency. “The Phantom Host,” in which the composer has set himself the difficult task of desorbing the annihilation of 10,000 soldiers by bitter frost, was exceedingly well sung by the choir. The composer of the music had a difficult task to perform, and in performing it had set any body of singers undertaking to interpret the work a severe test. For this reason the singing of the choir was all the more creditable. “To the Sons of Art,” by F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy, was one of the finest examples of part-singing heard throughout the evening, the first verse was specially well rendered, hut the music was all well sung, and the tesulf was most satisfying. “TO the Sons of Art” was presented to the choir some years ago by Mr M. S. Holmes. In connection with its rendering credit is due to Messrs Newton, Mills, Blackwood, and Cooper for contributing the solo passages. “A Vintage Song,” by the same composer, went particularly well. The choir was quite alive to what’ was required of it, and responded very ably to the call. In completing the programme the choir sang an arrangement by West of the old hunting song ‘VTolm Peel” very successfully. Mr H. M’Alum had to respond to a very acceptable rendering of Frances Allitsen’s "Prince Ivan’s Song,” with “It’s Very Vexing” ; and Mr R. Pettitt played two violin solos that won for him recalls. He first played Edward German’s “Bolero,” and , then Mos/.kowski’s “Spanish Dance.” Apparently the slackening of a_ string was the cause of an occasional flatness in some of the melodies played. Possibly Mr Pettit.t’s most attractive solo was Gounods “Ave Maria. Messrs Newton, Mills, Blackwood, and Cooper did not make a complete success of the quartet, “Melisande in the Wood.” there being a disposition to get ; out of tune on the part of one of the singers. The quartet was. however, en- I cored, and “Mary o' Argyle” replaced it.! Mrs Frank 11. Carr proved rather mechanical in her singing of the selection from “Mignon” (“Oonnais lu le pays”), and sang a nice little ballad in response to the applause accorded her. Later in the evening Mrs Carr gave Elgar’s “Like to the Damask j Rose” in an improved form, and made a ! reappearance. Mr J. H. Oliver met with ; heartily applause for his singing of Lohr’s i “Nelson’s Gone a-Sailing,” and had to submit to a recall. A similar compliment was paid Mr J. B. M‘Connell for his recital of the passage from “Richard III,” commencing “Now is the winter of our discontent,” his Rudyard Kipling being the superior of the two recitations. The choir was conducted by Dr V. E. Galway, the accompaniments being played by Mr John A. Haggitt.