INTERNATIONAL MUSIC

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17233, 12 April 1930, Page 5

INTERNATIONAL MUSIC

ENGLISH COMPOSERS CONCERT IN CITY TI'ALL Pin,, lir.-.i ~f a series "f e-mreris providing music of a immlier of nation.-, was held in the City Hall lasi evening, when ihe programme presented to the appreii.ii.ive audience was careLuliy selected from English composers. That the task of making a selection was a diilieitlt one was meiii umed by Air. .). CamugtunWeJlhy. one of the pretnol'Crs. when at the outset lie outlined the purpose of I lie coneerls. liie present, he said, was lo he ilie iir.st of a series of six. in which it. was proposed in treat music ot dillertilt- nations, commencing that evening vvil.lt English from the days of Purcell. It was diilieitlt to make a, selection as there were so many tine works to choose bum, Iml. they had taken popular works ui I,he, best known composers for their programme, and il was intended to follow a similar practice in presenting music of oliiet nations in the following jive concerts. The next concert' would lie held on May 22, when Italian prodm lions would lie feat tired. 'l'iie wise selection for last- evening’s programme provided most altraclive fare both in vu-al and instrumental work, and the manner in which each performance was appreciated was demonstrated m the prolonged applause which invariably followed. Owing to the length of the programme, however, it was not found possible to grant encores on each occasion. At t he. conclusion Ibe lady performers were each, presented with ■-eyeral beautiful bouquets, while the gentle,men of the company were solemnly banded bilge Caster eggs. Tin' progi amme was opened by Ml. Carrington Weil by. who set a high standard with his h.isso-cantauto solo, "Who Were the Yoeinan.’’ from German's "Merrie England,'’ assisted in the chorus by tiie remainder of the company. while later in the programme he rendered "Sea EVvei ’lreland!, and as an encore "Passing Dreams' (Roger Quilter). .Mias Muriel Smith, eo-organiscr with Mr. Carrington Wellhy. carried the hulk of the, work, not only acting throughout (lie programme as accompanist, but also contributing solo items, which were by nu means the least favored of the select ions. Interest, was added Lo her renditions by short explanations of the music she proposed, to play. In the playing of u.sti iniientii! selections, she said, if was advisable to create an atmosphere of understanding to assist the audience. Two Rourrees. which were the fusi of an opening bracket, represented a da nee adapted from the Erciieh by ,'Purcell, whose, time was after (hat of Queen Elizabeth, but, who preceded llatule] and Pan h. Although horn a German, Handel was adopted by the English, lienee Hie inclusion of bis selections in the evening's programme. The fantasia she proposed to play was a short composition of no particular style, half a class of music greatly in vogue in iin mid's (lav. Liter. Miss Smith played several North Sett, fantasies by Rowley, again prefacing law playing with introductory remarks. (In a third appearance, Miss Smith delighted the audience with "False. Caprice" on "Three Rlind Mice’ (lloibi'ooke). and as a recall number provided "Sun Ballet” by Coleridge Tavlor. I lllier pt rl’ormers included Alias Doreen Haul, of W’aiina. whose soprano solo, "Rid Ale Discourse ' (Bishop), was followed by an encore in "Dawn Gentle Mov.ei" (Siemdale-Bennett), while she later sang "Down m the Forest’’ i bandon Ronald), and "Now Sleeps the (’rim-

sou Petals” (Quilter) As a tenor, Air. Ray Nicholson produced good volume and lone when he sang "Dan ( iipid Hath a. t harden (Gorman), and as an encore "Song of Sleep" (Somersetj. Handels "Call forth Tbv Powers" was his number in the second half of the programme.

Mrs, E. Auld's rich mezzo soprano voice was heard to advantage in the singing of "Nymphs and Shepherds’ iPureell). tor vyliieh she was recalled to slm/ "Robin Adair. baler she rendered "Tim Ei ehautress" (Hatton), and. i eealled. Sterndale- Bennett’s "Soinet imes

in Summer. The remaining soloist, wan Min Henri (lel.ivie, win so name as a. violinist was further enhanced by his performances ol "The Gypsy Eegcnoc" (Trinkis) and, as an encore, "Selier/.ini ’ i Haynes'). lie gave equal enjoyment -n the second pati v.hli "Saint d'Amour (Elgar) and "Variations oi Ib-me Sweet Home

(Bishop). The appearance of a male quartet' added in |he enjoyment ol 1 the programme, the lour comprising M-ssis'. CarriugtonA\ ellby. !!, Nicholson, IL Mitchell and S. Kingston. They rendered Granville Rant nek's Cavalier song. "Root and Saddle" and "Sleep Gentle Eadv 'Pidmni The nrogramine concluded with a quintette, Mrs. Auld. Miss Hunt Messrs. Kingston. Nicholson ami Carrington-WeUhv. who sang "lAve is Meant 1.0 Make l's Glad” Irmn German s "Merrie England. ' Two pleasing duets were also rend cod the first bv Miss Hunt arm Mr t arringion-AVeßhy. wlm sang heial. Shepherd Reave Decoying (I uv "ell), while Miss limit, arid Mr. A|d |(11 - son prmln I "Cl That. We Iwo Were Maying” (Smith). It is )HO{)(1S(mI in l'l*JHM t Hio ' Ol,lOl II! Wail on.