“MATTHEW PASSION”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22545, 12 April 1935, Page 18

“MATTHEW PASSION”

AN IMPRESSIVE SELECTION ! FINE WORK BY FIRST CHURCH CHOIR The selections from Bach’s immortal “ Matthew Passion ” as presented last evening by the First Church Choir under the direction of Dr V. E. Galway was a definite musical event, characterised by a remarkably high standard of performance on the part of soloists and choir alike. It is difficult to put into words the exact quality of Bach’s appeal to the music-lover. Quite apart from the superlative technical mastery which is the delight and despair of the profes- ■ sional musician, he is able to produce in the listener a sense of deep satisfaction which few other composers can achieve. Although his secular music can more than hold its own even in this sophisticated age, Bach’s genius found perhaps its fullest expression in his devotional .works, than which there is no greater masterpiece than the “Matthew Passion,” which is in effect the greatest work of its kim) ever written. Inasmuch as the choir last evening succeeded in presenting all the breadth and grandeur of the great work without ever doing anything in the shape of violence to the gentleness and sacred emotion of the music, it excelled itself beyond feven tne most sanguine expectations of the majority of those who heard it. The final chorus, “ Lord, Though Awhile in Tears of Sorrow,” provided-a fitting climax'to consistently good choral work throughout the whole evening. “My Sin it was which Bound Thee " was delightful in its restraint and expression, and “O Fount of Love Unbounded ” will be long remembered by all who heard it. Of the five soloists of the evening the outstanding performers were undoubtedly Mr Alfred Walmsley and Mr Edward Denton. Mr Walmsley has seldom been in better voice, and he acquitted himselt with rare distinction in the tenor part, which presents innumerable difficulties of a kind that would daunt many singers. It is not every tenor who could negotiatethe lengthy recitatives which fell to his lot last evening. Mr Denton’s attractive bass voice was also heard to special advantage. The work of the soprano, Miss Betty Pocock, was excellent throughout, and Miss Edith Clare and Mr George Salmond did everything that was askea of them well. Great credit is due. however, to Dr Galway for his musicianly direction of the performance, which was carried out in the thorough and artistic manner characteristic of him. The presentation last evening may well be regarded as to some extent a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the birth of Bach, who was born in 1685 and died in 1750. The “ Matthew Passion ” was written just about 200 years ago for St. Thomas’s Church, Leipzig, and since that time has been performed all over the world and acclaimed as the greatest achievement of its kind in music.