VIENNA BOYS’ CHOIR

Southland Times, Issue 23815, 12 May 1939, Page 13

VIENNA BOYS’ CHOIR

TONIGHTS CONCERT The conductor of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, Dr Georg Gruber, enjoys a considerable reputation throughout Europe both as an orchestral and choral conductor. He has been for many years chief conductor of the Vienna Boys’ Choir, and was responsible for the training of the choir which visited New Zealand in 1935. On that occasion Dr Gruber’s place was taken by his deputy, Mr Viktor Gomboz. The principal feature of tonight’s programme will be a musical play entitled “The Deceived Cadi” by Gluck, written by Dr Gruber. There will be a selection of motets by the 16th century composers, Gallus, Nascus, Viadana and Asula. Those who remember the medieval motets sung here by the previous choir, will welcome the opportunity of hearing further examples of these gems of church music of the golden age. The more popular section of the programme will be devoted to folk songs of the world. In every country in which they have travelled, the boys have acquired at least one national folk song which they have learned in the original language. These include songs from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, _ Sweden, Spain, England, Ireland, Mexico, Cuba and the United States.