MR H. NEVILLSMITH’S RECITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17780, 25 February 1926, Page 5

MR H. NEVILLSMITH’S RECITAL.

Years of travelling in the old world have brought Mr 11. Nevill-Smith. formerly a well-known Christchurch teacher, closely in touch with the modern composers, and apparently their work has made a deep appeal to him. This fact made particularly interesting the recital which he and supporting artists gave in the Choral Hall last night. Mr Nevill-Smith presented a pleasantly varied programme in which he was able to give an adequate demonstration of his vocal gifts. The voice, a sweet lyrical tenor, has been carefully cultivated, and its technical management is perfect. However, the singer must be considered also from another pc.int of view. Although he is lyrical, capable of rapturous utterance, there is an enhancing intellectual quality in his work. lie seems to sing with heart and mind. The first bracket consisted of three Italian songs “Pur dicesti” (Lotti), “Xottornino” and “Neapolitan Serenade” (Catagni). There were all light lyrical songs of great beauty and the singer was completely satisfying in his interpretations. "Lc Paon” (Ravel), an original song by a French composer, regarded by some as a musical anarchist, was among the most interesting numbers on the programme. Boldly conceived, it developed in a succession of surprising harmonies. The singing was adequate for the song. "The Hobby Horse” (Mussorgsky) was another ultra-modern composition which was satisfactorily sung., Other numbers were “White Ships" (Grey), “The Living God” (O'Hara). “Vision Fugitive” (Massenet). and "P'legie” (Massenet). Miss Amy Nevill-Smith and Mr Rees M’Conachy, two talented violinists who play with deep understanding of their music and considerable technical # skill, undertook ambitious work in the duet “Concertantcs pour deux Violins” (Danda) and the slow movement from Bach's “Concerto for two violins.” However, they were quite satisfying, and in the Bach number there were many inspired movements. Miss NevillSmith played “Sonata in D minor” (Gade) and Mr M’Conachy played “Kol Nidrie” (Bruch) and “English Dance” (Dale). Miss Grace Scott, possessor of a sweet full voice, sang “Lament of Isis” (Bantock) and “Ships of Arcady” (Mead), the latter being sung with a fine regard for effective nuance. Mr Fred Hyde and Mrs N. D. Mangos were efficient acompanists. A second recital will be given on Saturday night.