CHORAL CONCERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24685, 14 August 1941, Page 9

CHORAL CONCERT

TRAINING COLLEGE SOCIETY HIGH STANDARD ATTAINED The programme arranged for, the annual entertainment of the Dunedin Training College Choral Society in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night was an ambitious one. It was a lengthy concert but item’followed Item with smooth precision, and the society acquitted itself extremely well in a varied selection of numbers. Students do not stay more than two years at the college, and it is consequently a matter of great difficulty .for a conductor ;to build up a good choir. The results obtained by Mr George E. Wilkinson, therefore, particularly when laat night s perfonnanra U-compared with that presented a year ago, entitle him to.)-be more than satisfied with his own efforts and with those of the members of the society whose keenness could not fail to be apparent to all. . The concert was opened with Baynon’s “ Wanderthirst ” and the traditional number “All. Thro’ the Night,” and in these items the society made an immediate impression. Probably the most important work of the evening. however, was the final item, “ This England” (Wood), in which the singers reached great heights of expression and tone control. The society’s remaining Items were di Lasso's '‘Echo Song," which was very effectively presented, Purcell’s “Sound the Trumpet." for male voices only, “The Heart That’s Contented " (Handel). Markham Lee’s “Gallop Away,” / Walford Davies's “ White Paternoster.” “ Since First I Saw Your Face” Ford), Rutland Broughton’s . “ Piper’st Song,” and Bwok’s ” The Birds," for female voices, and Milford’s “The Passing Year.’ The last-mentioned Item was a particu larly exacting one, and received very sympathetic treatment. Outstanding among tk£ other items was the duet for two pianos, the second movement of Weber’s “ Concertstuck,” in which, as solo pianist Miss N. Pickett provided a muslcianlv performance. While Miss I..Shlels. at?the second piano; acquitted herself with credit. " Elgar’s * The Show * was an interest: ing item , presented ;by Misses P. Gapper.E. Wlddowson, H. Baker. J. Hamilton. M. Harley, J. McGregor, O. McKenzie, R. Wilson add B. King, and theveffect was enhanced by the violin obbligato, which was supplied by Miss M. and Mr C. Mowat. The “Uisf Tramping Song” was sung by Misses P. Gapper, P King. O. McKenzie and M. Harley, and Messrs R. Whittington, R N. Mcßride. H Salter and J. Ritchie;, and Messrs D. White, H. Salter, -JV R. Milligan and V. Keay, ■with male chorus, gave a spirited rendering of Stanford’s “ The Old Superb." The traditional Open the Door,” sung by Misses E. Widdowson, N. Grotty, R. Wilson and B. King, and Messrs L. Blaikie. I. Hewson, W. Williams and J. R. Milligan, was equally acceptable. , The soloists of the evening were Miss H. Gilbert, the possessor of a fine contralto voice of very unusual quality, who sang Schubert’s “To Music.” Mr W. Williams, who sang Keel’s “Cape Horn Gospel,” Miss H Baker in “Ships of Arcady(Head), Mr L. White, who gave as a clarinet • solo a jig by Brahms, Miss E. Clyde, who sang (with violin obbligato by Mr C. Mowat) the Bach-Gounod “Ave Maria,” Mr L. Blaikie. who sang Vaughan Williams’s "Linden Lea,” Miss P Gapper in “ Orpheus with His Lute” (Sullivan), and Miss J. Gasparich, who sang “ Silent Noon ” (Vaughan Williams). Throughout the concert the singers were kept under the strictest control by the conductor, who experienced a, heavy night’s Work by also taking a large share of the accompanying. He was assisted in this task by Misses J. Ironside, M. Hughes and N. Pickett.