THE TWELFTH MASS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13635, 1 July 1908, Page 6

THE TWELFTH MASS.

Despite the weather Trinity Chinch was well helled last night when Mozart's Twelfth Mass was given by an augmented choir. A short musical programme, which is mentioned later, was hibt rendered, and the Mass proper was commenced about 8.45 and tabbed by 10.10 p.m. The work was given in its entirety, and the score was followed so closely that all almost note-perfect rendition wai> heard. ih-Mass.-with, i.s heavy choruses, abounding with broken and "syncopated time, its finely harmonised quarteues and beautiful "soke, is a difueult one to do full justice to, but u was evidently well piepared, and the results reflect the greaicst credit on the choirmaster and conductor, Mr Edgar Randal. His .'-command was good, and while not. ostentatiously strong, he got. the necuasary control almost by induction*. Mr Wilfred (Joulsou played the accompaniments with freedom, of execution and taste. The quartet.c was— Soprano; Miss J. Anderson; contralto, Mrs 0. E. Kerr; tenor, Mr B. B. de Luoze; bass, Mr S. Gilchrist. Their bal---ance and blending -was an outstanding feature of the work. Miss Andeiison made a splendid lead, her six bar run on the word "Come" in the Benedictus, was gracefully taken, and after touching "a" a couple of times in it, she almost immediately took two "c/s" in suecttsion 'dearly-and-fully. Mr B. B. de Ltoze in hfe solo at the- "lit Inearnat.us" liad to negotiate "a" more than once. The Kyrie was carefully given, the only slight blemish was a certain lack of strength on the bass' part in "Twill call upon the Lord." The Gloria got the bright joyous treatment required. The quartette were fine in "We .'Praise'.Thee," and the concluding repeat •was'- well in keeping'with the opening. lu the "Qui Tulji6,'\ the balance and expression of the quartette were more than : good, -and • he-.. leading run of Miss' Anderson in the ' word " Praise " was heard in faultless technique. Later Mrs C. E. Kerr- gave an eight bar run on the word •'Glad" with a line rhythmic movement. The heavy conclusion on the "Amen" was got through creditably. The "Credo" with its majestic start, quartette interlude ami brilliant finish was a good performance for the strength of the. choir. The Sahetiis, Benedicus and Agnus Dei. were iu keeping with the other parts of the, Mass;- the Benedictus giving Mr Gilchrist some bai e runs which he took'-full advantage of. The work concluded with the "Dona Nobis" intr-oduced by a con ralto solo. ..In this chorus Mr Randal let -the bu«* a bit in one of his climaxes with,- gou'd. results. The splendid work of-'"the--great master was added to by\ six items; of excep ional merit. -Air"-'Edgar Randal gave Bach's Fague in A Minor with that precision, that makes such a work palatable. His pedalling ds .true ,and clean., and ;bis .grip of the work treated was evident in every phrase. ;In his; delicate handling of; Saint SaeirY-"ever beautiful .'■-Lej .Gy-giie"• • his ; artistic exposition was a. treat in delicate work.. Mr . Randal is making lis instrument more and niore his own,'-'and as a- result -his appearance at the organ is always welcomed. .Miss- J.Anderson's sweet soprano voice: is: now wellknown throughout. South Canterbury. Her .recitative "Arid God said let the -Earth " and ;air v ,l iWtfh ;CJad'■"'.' (Haydn) w'ers: taken'- with; that ease that shows the power in, ru-crve;khd t^liafc 1 sinijplieifcy of. style that holds l -captive; the musiJal memory.'. Her runs, particulariy that on the word- "Heiirt,",- were-appar-ently perfect, andher-phrasing left -nothing *o be "desired/ As a tenor; splbistj Mr B.- B. de'.'Lo'oze needs, no introdutvioii.: His number wa*'" The: Sun', sunk in, his watery .grave." Air de l.ooze in^go^^ voice;'andihiffJihe'P -low- ' appedingVt^ne^'-: cultured, -and : 1 -' used 1 with tasfe, chosiiii: Ji:.;The '-cqntrklto'HJsolofetrwtts Mrs~ C. ; , E.v Kerr,'.:, and;'as it; proved-;,a n;»i;e ,'suftabte;Vhoice- : it Twouid;■■ ue difficult;;to; irilaka. . If' Mrs Kerr's reputatiion V.as;-.a-rested; oii. Jiet'tinlei'pretatkui;: of > "0 Resi in the Lord". (Meudeissohn) alone, it would couuiwiSil ,ai;tecepti6ni tor:; her on

any musical platform. She is euimuntij a devotional singer, and her artistic treatment of (-acred themes accentuates the en joyment caused by the line timbre ot hei voice. 'J he well-known solo "1 feel the Deity within," and "Aim, Arm ye Biave' (Handel) was firmly given by Mr -• Gilchrist. His attack and movement neit strong and*'rousing, and lie gave <i lobuM and 'powerful rendciing of this lather exacting solo. Mr Randal played the accompaniments with discrimination, and while "the Wingers all got splendid recep' tions, he received quite -an o\ ation foi his last item. The prograiuuie was an allelic .success, and tJie subject, anange nient and surroundings contributed lo tins end.