MENDELSSOHN’S “ELIJAH”

Southland Times, Issue 24499, 29 July 1941, Page 7

MENDELSSOHN’S “ELIJAH”

Philharmonic Choir’s Success One hundred years ago the scheme of his great oratorio “Elijah” was being worked out in the mind of Mendelssohn, and although the work was not completed until five years later, jhe performance of the work given by the Invercargill Philharmonic Choir in the Victoria Concert Chamber last night might well be regarded as a centennial presentation. In the intervening century, the oratorio has taken its place among the six greatest and most popular works in its field. The performance given by the choir last night was on a smaller sca(e than the popular conception of “Elijah.” A small body of voices accompanied by a piano could not be expected to emphasize fully the thrilling and majestic choruses, but the choir contrived to bring into prominence the deeply spiritual aspects of the work. It was an intimate study of the oratorio in which the purity and freshness of the voices compensated for the lack of numbers and a weakness in the tenor section which was probably the result of war conditions. In his leadership of his choir, Mr G. E. Lomas has been conspicuously successful and he has impressed the soundness of his musicianship on those who have followed the series of brilliant recitals which the choir has given. Directing the choir from the piano, Mr Lomas preserved admirable control and lifted the voices to notable heights in the dramatic and lyric moments. There is no other musical organization in the city which can be assured of a full hall for two performances. The choir has lent its support to deserving objects and the present recital is in aid of the funds for the equipment of rooms for voluntary aids of the Red Cross Society. The performance was outstanding for the sympathetic interpretations of Elijah’s arias by Mr Rewi Kingsland. In the name part he carried a heavy burden of the solo section. He led the oratorio skilfully through the emotion of the miracle of the restoration to life of the child and the contest between the false gods and the true. In the closing stages, with Elijah forsaken by his people, Mr Kingsland drew a vivid I picture of the grief of the prophet. Mrs P. Frampton sang with distinction the parts of the widow, the youth and one of the angels. The mother pleading for the life of her child was delicately portrayed and the aria “Hear ye, Israel” was a delightful example of spiritual serenity. Mrs C. Meiklejohn was the contralto soloist. Gaining confidence as she went along, she was heard at her best in “O rest in the Lord,” which was among the finest moments in the oratorio. The interpretation of this lovely aria was admirable. Miss G. Drain and Mrs D. Grey were associated in a beautiful soprano duet. The tenor was Mr C. Kelly. He was faced with many pages of exacting recitative in which he was quite at home, although there were occasional lapses in diction. Among the many difficult choruses “He that shall endure to the end” was among the loveliest of those of calm beauty. Full advantage was taken of the dramatic possibilities in “The fire descends,” “Thanks be to God!” and “Behold! God the Lord passeth by.” The final performance of the oratorio will be given tonight.