“THE CREATION.”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 13 October 1926, Page 7

“THE CREATION.”

A DELIGHTFUL PERFORMANCE. Recitals by the choir of the Bank Street Methodist Church choir never fail to attract the interest of music lovers, and the performance of Haydn’s “Creation” last evening proved no exception to the rule. There was a large attendance, and a delightful rendering of the immortal masterpiece was followed with rapt attention.

Under his baton, Mr J. W. Holdgate, had an augmented choir. That careful preparation had been undergone was early apparent, attacks and releases being sharp and clean, while , the full volume that was attained j by all parts in the fortissimo passages, especially in the choruses “The-Heavens are Telling” and “Sing the Lord,” indicated the confidence that comes only from a thorough acquaintance of the work in hand. The former number, although of an exacting nature, was particularly pleasing, the spirit of the piece being sustained with nice restraint until the climax was attained. “The Creation” calls for close attention to the requirements of light and shade, and the success of the performance last evening was largely due to the manner in which these requirements were observed. In the choice of its soloists, the choir was indeed fortunate. As a soloist in oratorio Mrs W. I. Tait is always in demand, a cultured soprano voice under excellent control making her exceptionally suitable for this class of work. In “With Verdure Clad,” Mrs Tait was particularly pleasing, and in the duet “Graceful Consort.,” with Mr Spratt, a very nice combination was effect- | ed. Although not a very powerful tenor, Mr H. Blakely sang with nice expression, attaining his top notes without any suggestion of forcing or effort so distasteful in religious works. On Mr W. J. Spratt fell a very heavy portion of the solo work. Mr Spratt sings with delightful ease, and his work in the numerous recitatives lost none of its effect through the restraint exercised. Both in “In the Beginning” and "Rolling in Foaming Billows,” his resonant bass appeared to decided advantage. In the trio work the soloists combined nicely, while in the solo numbers an appropriate spirit of reverence was always in evidence. To the organist, Mr A. W. V. Vine, is due a large share of the credit for the success achieved by the choir. His introduction “Representation of Chaos,” was splendidly given, while the general interpretation of the very descriptive accompaniment was given in excellent taste.