INSPIRING ORATORIO

Taranaki Daily News, 27 November 1934, Page 10

INSPIRING ORATORIO

“THE LITTLE FLOWER’’ AT HAWERA.

MR. ANDERSEN TYRER CONDUCTS.

Events of little importance fade soon or become indistinct in the memory, but above the vague recollections and impressions of ordinary life there §re certain events which stand out. One of these, for those that heard it, was the oratorio, “St. Therese of the Child Jesus,” which was presented on Sunday night at St. Joseph’s Church by pupils of the Hawera Convent assisted by the Hawera Orchestral Society and members of the male choir.

After many weeks of careful training by the sisters of the convent, the 50 girls and 25 boys attained a perfection that was really surprising. It was only because of the meticulous care of the sisters that it was possible for Mr. Andersen Tyrer, the famous English conductor, who came specially from Wellington, to weld the chorus and orchestra into a splendid unit.

The oratorio, which is set in three parts, was written by a young American, Evangeline Lehman and fine effects are secured by the introduction of solos, duets, trios, quartets and choruses with special passages of fine orchestral music. The first part opens with some very fine playing by the orchestra, then as the music swells the choir joins in, singing in unison. The first part tells of the childhood of St. Therese “A Little Babe who by her love has helped through many a storm” and leads fittingly up to the first communion and the entrance at Carmel in the second part.

This part opens with a lovely refrain sung softly to give the impression of distance. Several solos follow. These lead up to the entrance of St. Therese into Carmel and the second part is brought to a close by the xdagnificat sung by the full choir. Tire effect obtained here was very stirring and the volume and richness of tone was quite .remarkable. The third part is opened with “Autumn Sunset” and is followed by some artistic singing in the choruses and trios of angels, with. interspersed narrations, the organ accompaniment being specially effective throughout. The numbers in the third part are amongst the most delightful in the oratorio and they lead into the dying prayer for St. Therese, “Father in Heaven,” “Take Thou Thy Child so Dear,” and the grand finale for full orchestra with the haunting refrain and the concluding “Amen,” sustained pianissimo by all parts. Mr. Tyrer said, after the performance, that he was more than delighted with the whole evening’s rrork. He commended the sisters for their remarkably efficient training. As a slight tribute he asked Sister Charles to accept the baton of white wood with cork handle, which he had used during the performance. He complimented the members of the orchestra, and the leader (Mr. R. Maunder), the organist (Mr. G. McConnell) and the pianist (Mrs. P. O. Veale) on their whole-hearted enthusiasm and the manner in which they had responded to his efforts.

On Saturday eveninig the Hawera Convent pupils entertained Mrs. and Mrs. Tyrer at a complimentary recital of vocal and pianoforte solos and concerted numbers for choir and individual voices. In all there were 11 songs, four part songs, a trio and two duets and one piano solo. Tire visitors were delighted with the performance, and the scope of the work presented.