HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13479, 26 July 1912, Page 7

HARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

' 'HYMN OF PRAISE.''

A very largo audience attended at the School of Music last evening to hear the Harmonic Society's rendering of the symphonic cantata, generally known as the "Lobgesang," or "Hymn of Praise," composed by Jb'elix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in 1840 in commemoration of the invention of printing, a festival in honour of which was held at Leipzig. Mendelssohn, was in this case his own librettist. The work was not attempted last night.for the first time in Nelson, and it would be agreeable in the successive production of such compositions to notice a progression in tho realisation of the demands of these great works. The "Hymn of Praise" is a monument of genius in the realms of musical art. Its thoughts attain a point of sublimity in certain portions, and anyone who lias heard "The Night is Departing" performed by an efficient choir and orchestra, can never forget it. The great _ symphony which opens the work is divided into three movements. The first is introduced by a bold "motif" in B flat major, of two bars length, repeated in massive harmony. This "motif" Mendelssohn uses with oft repeated effect throughout the work. The middle movement in the relative minor, is of a plaintive, and gracefully flowing character broken by a bright treatment of the introductory theme in the tonic major, and it closes, dying away by a modulation into the tonic minor key, resuming a similar figure, and typo of treatment, as in the first part of tho same movement. The last movement opens with a profoundly "religioso" part, leading into a melodic theme, and accompanied throughout by rippling arpeggi. This is followed by the opening chorus "All men, all things." While the Society is to be congratulated upon its ambition in presenting a piece of such a. high order, it is to be wondered at that more vocalists did not lend their services to produce it. The Society deserves, much more support from iocal singers than it has received of late, and last night'&• thin, .ranks must be augmented to accomplish .so difficult a cantata in a manner which will adequately show its beauties. Tho balance, of the voices was not of the best, there being a preponderancel of soprano, whilo'tho tenors, despite their earnest efforts, were insufficient to carry out their work w'fh more than moderate success. Hc»vever, considering the- strain of such heavy music, Herr Lemmer i? to be congratulated on getting what he did out of the number at his disposal. The orchestra also has dwindled in strength, but no doubt the good quality remains. The programme opened with "Symphony in B flat" (Haydn). This was followed by "Hungarian Fantasie" (Liszt), a piano, solo with orchestral accompaniment. This piece was the best orchestral item of the evening, and contained few blemishes (a flat cornet part was noticeable), an excellent effect being gained. Too high praise cannot be given*to Miss Judson for her excellent work as pianiste in the exacting pianoforte accompaniment, which, as she gave it, did not fail to produce applause which lasted for several minutes. "All men, all. things" was probably iilie best of the choruses, but "The Night is Departing" could have been improved upon. "Ye Nations, offer to the Lord," at the close, was attacked with vigor, and the result^ although the sopranos found the setting a little high and got a trifle out of hand, was a creditable performance. Th© soloists were Nelson vocalists, and to perform their acknowledged!}' difficult parts required all their ability. Miss Bamford and Miss Stevens, sopranos, blended well, and sang pleasingly thoughout, doing good work in the oft attempted "I waited for the Lord." Miss Bamford found "Praise thou the Lord" well within her range, and handled it capably. Mr. Bunny's voice was rather light for his selections but he can congratulate himself on being at all times perfectly in tune —no small consideration in so intricate a composition. In "Sing Ye Praise" he was heard at his best. The audience throughout wag most appreciative.