ORGAN RECITAL AT ST. MARY'S.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 196, 14 September 1900, Page 2

ORGAN RECITAL AT ST. MARY'S.

Theke was a good attendance, on Thursday evening on the occasion of the organ recital at St. Mary's Church. After opening with a hymn, in which all joined, the' full choir gave the anthem " How Lovely are the Messengers" (Mendelsohn), Mr. A. E. Fletcher, the organist, presiding at the organ. On the whole the item was a very creditable one, although at times a little irregularity was noticeable, due probably to a little nervousness. Towards the close, however, they steadied down, and gave the closing portion in a very satisfactory manner. Another vocal item was very nicely rendered by Miss L. George, who possesses a nicely cultivated voice. Her rendering of "The Star of Bethlehem " being quite a treat. a quartette," God so Loved the World" (Stainer), was a pleasing item, the expression being very nicely marked, the vocalists, Misses 0. Bayly and A. George and Messrs, George and vVoodard, blending in a very tuneful manne -. A song, " 0 Rest in the Lord," was d.ne full justice to by Mr 11. Gray, whose full bass voice suited iiiie soug admirably. The final anthem was nicely taken, the time and expression being carefully marked, the item being one of the most pleasing submitted. The items given by Mr. Fletcher himself were simply exquisite, The space at our disposal will not allow of our doing justice to the able manner m which the authors conceptions were realised. The items were Melodie Keligeuse(Grey), Intermezzo, Cavallura, liusticana (Mascagni), Andante in G, Pilgrims Song of Hope (Batiste), and VlarchTriumphal(Lemmens). It would 'is hard to find four items presenting a greater contrast or more capable of oringing out the beauty, softness, and power of the beautiful instrument and the skill of the organist. The only r'ault with the recital was that it was til too short, and the thanks of the community are undoubtedly due to Mr. Fletcher for offering a chance of hear- j in." such excellent music. A hymn, and the Benedict ion by the Archdeacon coiwluclecl ■■ jut enjoyable eyewg, (