Invereargill Musical Union

Southland Times, Issue 12012, 17 December 1907, Page 2

Invereargill Musical Union

hems from tub oratorios. The Invercargill Musical Union is a little circle of enthusiastic people who 1 iBo to make music, ami who endeavour to foster the taste for good music amongst others who arc not of their circle. This enthusiasm has Ijcou almost their only spur to action of late years, that and the satisfaction which naturally loliows something well done. The other support which might be forthcoming, hut is not. is that which should emanate from the public. Audiences at their concerts have not been largo for some .years, and judging from last night’s house, their ill-luck does not seem to ho improving yet, which, however loth one is to admit it, can only mean that the taste for music in Invercargill is either somnolent or decadent. Yet an eminent art critic, who regarded music as the greatest of all the arts, has written ;

“Although each art has its. incommunicable element, its untranslatable order of impressions, its unique mode of reaching the ‘imaginative reason,’ yet the arts may he represented as continually struggling after the law or principle of music, to a condition which music alone completely realises."- Which, if he said truly, would make it appear that an appreciation of music ia essential to a proper appreciation of all beautiful things whatsoever. All honour, then, to the members of the Invercargill Musical Union whose aim it is 1o foster in others a love of good music. For some years now it has been the Union’s custom to provide a concert about Christmas time and lha few patrons who do look forward to their entertainments, have come to regard the Christmas concert as an institution. Usually the society rehearses an oratorio, hut this year, possibly with a view to exciting more popular interest, a programme of selections from oratorios was chosen. This selection comprised several choruses and solos, two duels, two trios, and a quartette, twenty items in all. To review in

detail such a programme would be a long task, and one which might not bo productive of air mkl. All tho choruses went, exceptionally well, showing how assiduous has been the practice, and how zealous and painstaking the conductor, Mr C. Gray, has been in the few weeks which have elapsed since the chorus began to meet for rehearsals. Of the soloists it need only be said that all wore very good. If anything wero to be added to that it would be hy way of complimentary reference to Mrs Hogg for her charming rendering of the beautiful solo “ With Verdure Clad,” from the "Creation.” The Soloists were Mrs 11. IT. Hogg, Mrs F. Soandrett, Mrs Blue, Miss Crofts and Messrs A. S. Cookson, N. Churton, and J. ID. Taylor. The pianist was Sirs E, 11. McKay, and Mr W. J. Ferguson occupied his usual position as loader of the orchestra.