THE LIEDERTAFEL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16512, 24 August 1921, Page 11

THE LIEDERTAFEL.

The second entertainment given this season by the GTiristchurcb LiedertafeJ took the form of a. smoke concert, which was held in the Scottish Society’s rooms last evening. It is gratifying to find that this fin© musical organisation is in ;l most flourishing state. The attendance was a tribute to the high place it holds in the esteem of its subscribers, and the quality of the entertainment was excellent. Tho Liedertafel numbers among its performing mom hers many of the loading amateurs of the city, and the society is apparently inspired by a spirit of enthusiasm and good comradeship. The Tvork done under its conductor, Mr A. AVorslev, is of tho best type. It was a. pleasure to listen to the rendering of tho concerted numbers, while the solo items were not less musically attractive. of the most pleasant features .of the concert was its more or less informal progress, which helped to create tho tree and easy social atmosphere among the audience, which is almost necessarily absent from. other more serious gatherings. . Tho choir opened with its first public performance of Callcott's glee “ Love Triumphant.” This is a vigorous and sparkling composition, and it was treated in the right spirit, tho choir giving an expressive, but brisk and lively interpretation. An old favourite was revived in the “Pilgrims’ Chorus” from “ Tannhauser.” and its inspiring and harmonious strains were so finely sung that a repetition wa.s demanded. Another notable item was the “ Loyal Song.” by Kucken, which was sung with much fervour and martial effect. In the “Spring Evening” (Abt) the graceful solo was nicely taken by Air W. Treworn, the choir accompaniment being skilfully and artistically managed. Hoffman’s melodious “Evening,” Bantock’s lively “ Boot and Saddle,” the gay “ Three Glasses ” (Fischer), and the part song “ Love and Wine ” (Mendelssohn) completed the choir’s contributions, each and all being rendered in a style which left nothing to be desired. A very much appreciated item was a duet by Messrs C. J. Gray and J. H. Cocks, the selection being Curl Gotze’s “ Still as the Night.” The voices balanced and blended well, and altogether it was a more than pleasing performance. Air W. J. Trewern sang the “ Flower Song” from “Carmen,” and achieved a decided success with this exacting solo. A very popular performer wa.s Air A. h. Cropp, whose fine voice and virile style were admirably suited to three { * Songs of Travel,” by \aughan Williams, and to a couple of very finely presented encore numbers with a humorously convivial flavour. Dr P. Stanley Foster sang “To tile I orest ” (Tschaikowski) nicely, and also an encore number, and Air G. E. March also contributed very acceptably two good songs. A Sch'ij-marln-Tjiszt composition, “ Devotion,” was artistically played ns a. pianoforte solo by Di- Leslie Crooke, and bo bad to respond to a. well deserved encore. The accompanist was Mr L. Lewin, whose work throughout was most helpful to the performers. The concert was heartily enjoyed, and the conductor and choir fully earned tho compliments which were showered on them.