THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10197, 5 July 1911, Page 1

THE SHEFFIELD CHOIR.

SECOND CONCERT. The second recital of the Sheffield Choir attracted a very large attendance last night, and alt-hougJi the ram beat an unuelcome tattoo upon the iron roof of the drill shed the concert provided did not materially suffer from the undesirable accompaniment. The night was not so cold as on the occasion of tli© first recital, and, as a consequence the audience was more responsive to a warmer programme. The concert opened with a beautiful presentation of Bach's motet" Sing Ve to the Lord." This composition, winch is an adaptation from the Psalms, is written for an unaccompanied double choir, aud it served to show the choristers at their.very best. The balance was perfect, the tone was delightful, and the contrapuntal work in the opening movement was a masterly exposition of choral singing. The beautiful " Andante," which is arranged as a choral duet, was expressively sung, and the concluding fugue was simply masterly. The selection, of course, is purely classical, but it is a classic which appeals to the untutored ear, and it is doubtful if the choir can give anything better during its stay. Dr Harris's's symphonic choral idyll "Pan" was the principal composition on the programme, and it was conducted by the doctor himself. It is happily described as being in opera-cantata form, and it is an imaginative and picturesque- musical presentation of a pretty legend. It is purely symphonic in character, and its atmosphere is consistently charming. It soiVed to introduce' .several new soloists, but they were, quite overshadowed by the excellence of the choral work. The opening chorus, " Who are they coming- like the wind." was a triumph of onomatopoeia throughout its varying woodland phases, whilst the finale was a glorious piece of expressive part singing. Miss Maud Willby sang the soprano solos sweetlv enough, but charming as her qualitv is she will never be more than a platform singer. In the absence of Ladv Norah Noel she had to double the'part of "Echo," but this made but little call upon her ability. Mr Wilfrid Virgo sang the tenor music well. He has a clear and resonant voice, but the composition did not afford him scope to show his best, the bass. Mr Robert ChignaU, was given ample opportunity, and he sang the music of Pan most expressively. His voice is, perhaps, not so colourful as that of Mr Charlesworth. but it is a truer bass, and he certainly loft nothing to be desired in his interpretation of the picturesque music, fneidentally a feature of the performance was the magnificent support of the basses in the choruses. Dr Coward has himself already spoken in terms of warm approbation of this portion of his choir, aud they more than justified his riraise last night. A series of part songs that followed showed the choir to great advantage, and of these '' The Long Day Closes '' and "The Bells of St Michael's Tower" were probably the most popular. The concert closed with Sir Hubert Parry s ode, "Blest Pair of Siren*./' This short choral work waa a sublimely fitting close to a most enjoyable concert. The ode is pure music, with no artificial effects, and it was sung simply and perfectly by the choir. The orchestra deserves more than a word of praise for its excellent work during the evening, although at times it was a little heavy for the soloists. To-day there will be a matinee at which a number of part songs will be sung, aud several of the principal soloists will contribute items. Incidentally Mr R. A. Home's "Intermezzo * will bo played by the orchestra. To-night the choir will sing the " Elijah." and it will be assisted by a local auxiliary choir. At tbe afternoon concert', at the special request of tho Mayor and a large uumber of patrons who were; present last night, Dr Coward has consented to repeat "The Bells of St Michael's Tower" and the.glees for male voices. Kipling's "Recessional Hymn" will also be sung.