ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH

Wairarapa Daily Times, 15 April 1935, Page 4

ST. MATTHEW’S CHURCH

“OLIVET TO CALVARY.”

There was a crowded congregation at St. Matthew’s Church last evening, when the choir sang J. F. Maunder’s “Olivet to Calvary,” under the direction of Mr William C. Mann, and with Mr A. Miller Hope at the organ. “Olivet to Calvary” recalls simply and reverently the scenes which mark the last few days of the Saviour’s .life on earth, and some of the reflections suggested thereby. The rejoicing of the multitude with hosannas and palms, the view of Jerusalem from the steep of Olivet, the lament over the beautiful city, the scene in the Temple, and the lovclv walk back from the Mount at night, form the chief features of the first mrt. Part two opens with the Supper of the Passover, at which Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, and gives to His friends the new commandment of love for one another as the sign of true disciplosliip. From this the scene passes to the infinite pathos of the Garden of Gethsemane, the sudden appearance of the hostile crowd, Jesus forsaken by His disciples, His utter loneliness among ruthless foes, the tumult before Pilate in the Judgment Hall, the Passage or the Cross, the tragedy and triumph of Calvary. , . The choral work was very good, showing a lot of light and shade and good phrasing. Tlie singing of the pianissimo passages was most effective and well done, especially in the c March to Calvary.” The tone was even through°UAll the soloists, Mrs Goldsmith, Misses Shelton, K. Fairchild, and Messrs Verran Greer, Archie Hale and Ron Hancock, acquitted themselves well. Mr Greer attained a great dramatic sense in his singing of “Oh, Was There a Loneliness Like His?”