FIRST CHURCH CHOIR

Southland Times, Issue 17831, 7 September 1916, Page 5

FIRST CHURCH CHOIR

SUCCESSFUL RECITAL, Undeterred by the disagreeable weather, Invercargill music-lovers turned out in force last evening to attend the annual musical recital of the First Church choir, with the result that the house was well Ailed. The recital on this occasion had for its object the raising of funds for the Gift Parcels scheme, so that the liberal patronage bestowed upon it must be considered gratifying in more ways than one. The choir gave evidence throughout of excellent training by a genuine enthusiast in the person of Mr William Quinn, through whose untiring efforts the present remarkable pitch of efficiency has been attained. The programme, which, by the way, was issued in very attractive form, comprised a variety of selections that served thoroughly to test the capacity of the performers, and the fact that they emerged triumphant in every case speaks volumes for them. The overture was rendered by a strong orchestra under the leadership of Mr O. Hubener, a conscientious player and well fitted for the position lie occupied. The orchestral accompaniments in the course of the evening were very good indeed, and reached the summit of their excellence in the final number. The three numbers in which they figured were: ‘'Bring Branches from Forest,” "Our island Home,” and "England, My England.” The first the choir treated in effective style, Vhile their next two numbers, "How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps" and “Moonlight and Music” they rendered in almost perfect fashion. The opening of “How Sweet the Moonlight Sleeps” was specially beautiful, while the harmony upon the words “Creep in Our Ears,” where the basses entered, produced an effect as agreeable as any noted in the whole recital. The sopranos did, it is true, hesitate slightly in their lead, but they quickly recovered, and the last notes of fhe piece sank into nothingness by degrees almost imperceptibly fine. In “Moonlight and Music” something of the same profundity of effect was achieved, the release of the final note being accomplished in particularly artistic style. "Two Cupids,” an English choral test piece, was one of the most enjoyable items of the evening. The staccato effects of the tenors and ha.sscs were noteworthy, as was also ttic extent to which the singers had succeeded in seizing the atmosphere and sentiment of the song. The anthem concluding the first part of the programme, “A Song of Joy,” was well rendered, though the bass was inclined to be a. little coarse at times. An old Scottish cradle song captivated the audience by its quaint simplicity, but its reception was as nothing compared with that accorded "Kitty of Coleraine. In the latter melody, the brogue was effectively exploited, but not overdone, ami the genial character of the piece so conij mended it to the sympathies of the house, that despite the modest legend

"You arc kindly requested not in encore,” hj repetition was in this case insisted upon. A very pretty selection wo* "Drops of Itain,” where the suggestion of a sweetly melancholy "drip, drip,” was admirably conveyed, and the. atmosphere again most effectively caught. A "Boat Song" followed: then the climax of the evening's performance was reached in the thrilling notes of "England, My England" —Henley's perfervid patriotism wedded to clarion notes that shook lit* house.

The songs for male voices were consistently fine. "To Arms” gave the tenors and second basses an opportunity of showing to great advantage. As an encore (in this ca-sc also the audience would not be denied) a piece of a more reposeful nature was rendered. “The Merry Frogs” also gave rise to a recall. In "The Ring and the Rose” (by request) good phrasing and specially fin« work on the part of tho first basses characterised the rendering. Of the soloists. Mrs Eastwood, who is the possessor of a clear soprano voice, perfectly in tunc, was the first to appear, and in her number "Life’s Glorious Anthem," site scored a distinct success. Her duct with Mr C. Pierce was encored with unmistakable enthusiasm. “Mountain Lovers” was admirably suited to Mr Pierce's voice, and he sang it well, but in the selection of his encore he was not quite so happy. He gave the impression that he Avas somewhat out of his element in a Scottish song, as an Englishman naturally would be. Miss Arthur sang "Rose in the Bud," which was very favourably received. This singer has a fine voice, but Just a slight inclination to over-colour her work. Air F. ('. Cooper never sang belter than in "Who Shall be King?" and his encore number "When Drake Goes West.” One of the features of the recite 1 as a whole was the unwavering concentration of the choir upon its work, and itas responsiveness to the conductor’s baton. Only thorough and painstaking rehearsal can lead to such results, and no one who was present last evening will fail to credit the performers with the virtue of earnestness as well as the possession of talent. It is probably safe to predict that in the audience before which the programme will to-night he repeated there will be no inconsiderable sprinkling of lust evening’s house.