FROM FAR AND NEAR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5567, 16 May 1896, Page 6

FROM FAR AND NEAR.

[Bt Tomtom.] * Untwist all the chains that tie ♦ he Mddeu aoul of harmony.' ' L' Allegro.— HDitoh. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Bandsuak, Christchvtrch.— Tes, you are correct. If yonr firm requires further proof , refer him to the Star of Nov. 7, 1894. Ctmbal, Woolatou.— Vide account given in Wright aad Bound. Sundry and manifold changes in the Professional Band; none serious, still, changes. They have a capital engagement for May 21 and 25. Their, secretary fills another position now — he is mine host at the Halawell Hotel, and his taking up the rdleot a country Boniface was the occaBion of melody and song from members of the Christchnrch Professional Band. " Double Bar " has forwarded me a long budget regarding the ' Bmnnerton Band, and " Con Amore " has written. The Engineers Band — weather being suitable — will .play a programme of music in the Domain to-morrcv, Sunday. The inevitable collection — but in aid of Herrick's Home— therefore a liberal response is richly merited. ' • ' The fifty-ninth concert of the Christchurch Liedertafel was given last night in Hobbs' Buildings. Quite a large and appreciative company delighted with the excellent music. Thirteen items graced the programme. Each one was good, only some were better than others. Mr E. Lovell sang a sweet, plaintive song by Addison, " Don't Cry," in such a finished style 1 that it was re-demanded. The melody was quaint, and the singer added to the good name he already enjoys. Mr H. m. Beeves- - gave "I Arise From Dreams of Thee" (Salaman). He abo earned arapttjrousencore,andcheerfullyresponded. Mr A'.' Millar sang •" The Deathless Army." We>all "know his ability to render whatever song-M elects to siisg, and the familiar line " I ihear'd, the drums and the trumpet's blare," and that other, "Hushed were, the drums/ were given in Mr Millar's best style. _ Mr Mannering sang Berfchold Tour's "Because, of Thee" splendidly^ and Mr W. A. Day took the solo in " Salamis," a cantata by Gernsheim, very nicely. Each of the vocalists sang with much taste. The part songs " Not a Spot on Earth so Pleasant" (Winter), "The Sabbath Call"' (Kreutzer), "Soldier's Song" (Werner), Weber's " Spent Night," and the " Bright Sword of Liberty," were tastefully sung. " Olaf Trygvason " (Reissiger), appeared to find most favour with the company, and •was applauded. The weird strains of entrancing melody, and the evident. pleasure • the vocalists took . in ringing the Norse song tended to make | this item intensely enjoyable. Ju3t before the interval Mr L. F. Watkin was the happy recipient of a memento of goodwill from his musical comrades, who regret his departure from Christchurch. The same gentleman • contributed a Beethoven sonata in C, and the talented conductor, Mr P. M. Wallace, charmed the company with a violin solo by Sarasate, " Zigzunerweiszny." He was rewarded with an imperative recall. The Christchurch Liedertafel are a body of music-loving fellows, to whom we owe a deep debt of gratitude for many an evening of harmonious -' delight. If future "Herren Abends" are even half as enjoyable as their fifty-ninth concert, I hope to be there.