ELGAR RECITAL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20298, 7 May 1934, Page 3

ELGAR RECITAL.

Male Voice Choir Presents Genuine Musical Treat.

The Christchurch Male Voice Choir opened its 1934 season at the Choral Hall on Saturday night with an Elgar programme, and the rendition of the great master’s works by such a capable and admirably balanced band of singers was a genuine musical treat. The choir was assisted in several of the numbers by the Cathedral choristers, and their fresh young voices were highly appreciated. Dr J. C. Bradshaw’s skill as a choirmaster is hardly even a second to his skill as an organist, and again he is to be congratulated on the fine showing. There was not one occasion throughout the evening when he lost complete control over the choir, and his keen appreciation of phrasing and tone presented Elgar’s songs in their most advantageous manner. The programme opened with “ How Calmly the Evening.” and the audience stood during the singing of the piece in tribute to the life and work of the composer. The choir, with the boys' voices lending charm, made the rendition a notable one. Following that came the popular “Zut! Zut!” which the choir gives with such life and delicacy; and then a selection of five part songs taken from the Greek anthology. In part-singing the choir excels, and so perfectly are the. voices blended that there is never a pause or a falter in the melody. The choristers, ably led by the solo voice of Master Ralph Henry, scored a success with the unison song, “It Comes From the Misty Ages,” and the first half of the programme was completed with “ From the Fringes of the Fleet.” “Inside the Bar” and “As Torrents in Summer” were two other finelyrendered part songs, and to complete the evening the whole choir sang “ Land of Hope and Glory.” The rendition was splendid, transforming the vainglorious words of the song into something really inspirational. The visiting soloist was Mrs Ross Brodie, a mezzo-soprano with a particularly sweet and well-controlled voice, with strength of tone as well. Her numbers were " Queen Mary’s Song, “ Where Corals Die,” and the beautiful “Sabbath Morning at Sea.” Mr R. Rake, a member, sang “ Dike to the Damask Rose ” excellently, the rich quality of his baritone being especially P Warren accompanied well throughout the evening.