LIEDERTAFEL HOLDS A SMOKE CONCERT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18188, 22 June 1927, Page 7

LIEDERTAFEL HOLDS A SMOKE CONCERT.

The smoke concert of the Christchurch drew its usual full attendance of subscribers to the Scotish Society’s 'rooms last evening. Mr Alfred Worsley directed a programme of part songs mainly familiar. Two that were sung for the first time were Beale’s “Go, Rose” and Julius Harrison’s “Viking Song.” The latter is a stirring number, and was given with animation and attention to detail. Wagner’s splendid “Sailors’ Chorus” from “The Flying Dutchman.” so redolent of the sea, numbers by Tours (“Hymn to Cynthia”), Otto, Werner (a boldly sung “War Song”), Abt (“Spring Evening”), Newton, and the Negro Spirituel “Deep River,” arranged by W. A. Fisher, comprised the choral programme, in addition to the two pieces above mentioned. What would male voice choirs do without Abt? Many a modern composer dan envy the close organ-like harmonies and quiet musicianly effects invariable to this writer of the past. His “Spring Evening” was pleasingly sung. Mr A. J. Trewern had the solo. Throughout the choral singing won the favour of the audience. There were a number of soloists. Mr S. Gilchrist showed a good cantante of strong tone, and-he sang with plenty of spirit in Benedict’s “Rage, Thou Angry Storm.” Mr George March in a couple of Frederick Keel’s “Salt Water Ballads” brought excellent clearness to his words, and his singing was of merit. Mr L. J. Campbell had not the voice for Mascagni’s Siciliana. Mr R. D. Vincent chose AUitser’s “A Song of Thanksgiving” which at one time had a great vogue. All the soloists added encore numbers in response to the I applause. Messrs P. Hockley and It. S. Hobbs gavp an amusing novelty in the shape of an unaccompanied canon by Goodwin “Should a Man be Secure,” and won commendation by their singing. Mr Hockley’s witty introductory'- explanation added to the good effect. Dr Leslie Crooke, the efficient accompanist of the society, played Moszkowski’s pretty “Yafse Brilliant” as a piano duet with Mr R. Lake. The same composer's “Spanish Dance” in C was the encore. It is a sad commentary dn the rewards of a wide fame 1 as a talented and skilled composer that recently in his old age Moszkowski faced want, despite the general popularity of his work. On learning of this fact, musicians in New’ York hastily got up a most successful benefit concert, but before the proceeds could reach Paris, Moszkowski had passed a wav. SYDNEY FRANCIS HOBEN.