“THE MESSIAH”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17108, 14 November 1929, Page 5

“THE MESSIAH”

GRAMOPHONE RENDERING CONCERT IN ST. ANDREW’S HALL Gramophone music has made great strides during the past four or live years, and some-evidence-of the present stage of perfection was demons!rated in St. Andrew’s schoolroom last evening, when Mr. W. Stewart, supervised the operation of two Columbia l’lano-. reflex gramophones for the production of Handel’s oratorio, “The Messiah.” This well known and-popular work has not been heal'd, publicly in Gisborne for some time, and a great deal of interest attached to the rendering last evening, when a large audience listened attentively to the music, which was reproduced with a great deal of realism.

The performances reproduced were those of Sir Thomas Beecham, famous as one of the world’s great conductors, and it is claimed that Iris is the finest rendering of this work ever heard. The records are equally perfect in their vitality and rich sonority. Tills was well emphasised last evening, the chorus and orchestral work being wellnigh perfect, and the several items were enthusiastically received. The effect of the performance was greatly added to by the arrangements made for the recital. '1 he two gramophones were so arranged that the changing of the records by the assistants did not in any way distract the attention of the listeners. Jn addition, the utilisation of two instruments enabled the programme to proceed expeditiously, for as soon as the first record had concluded, the second was commenced immediately on the other gramophone, while the first was prepared for the reproduction of the third number. In this manner 30 records were played in a comparatively short time. The effectiveness of the arrangements reflected great, credit upon the organisation of Air. Stewart. By the ingenious arrangement, of screens, the necessary manipulation ot the gramophones and records was hidden from the audience, and this, 'taken in conjunct ion with tho outstanding excellence of the recording and reproduction, gave to the recital a. sense of realism not often experienced in connection with recorded music. The varied nature of a recital of this kind, orchestral items, solos by soprano, contralto, tenor, ami baritone, vocal work by small combinations and chorus, and tiio necessity for clearness of diction in the solo passages constitutes an unusually severe .test. ’Flu* evident, enjoyment of the items was sufficient proof that the instruments came through the test more than satisfactorily.

The soloists, all well-known oratorio performers in England, Misses Dora Lahlictte and Muriel Brunskill, and Messrs. Hubert Eisdell and Harold Williams, brought to their numbers that devotional feeling so necessary in a work of this kind. A collection taken up was devoted to the St. Andrew’s Sunday school illusion funds.