GLEE AND MADRIGAL SOCIETY

Press, Volume L, Issue 14986, 5 June 1914, Page 3

GLEE AND MADRIGAL SOCIETY

At the Choral Hall last night the first concert of the season was given before a fairly well-filled house. Yet. ifco performances of the Gleo and Madrigal Society, under Mr Sidney Williamson's artistic guidance, are good enough to warrant every scat to be occupied and subscribed. The programme was attractive and of the usual excessive length. Of course, ideals vary, and so do the powers of absorption. When the latter have been strained to the utmost, ouo can but apply the remedy of retiring. Tho constitution and the work of tho choir compared favourably witti kost year's combination and productions Tho sopranos novv contain no harsh voices ever ready to use .extreme torce, and the balance is much improved, the men's voices particularly being kept under wholesome and prais*;wortny restraint. The most conspicuous fault may be found yet in tho enunciation, the words at times lu-iug, quite unintelligible. Good attention is given with phrasing to lignt and shade, and not a few artistically tine effects are achieved. Among tho large list of part son.tis "In the Woods" and '0, i'ly With Mc," by Mendelssohn, "Peace, Come Away." by Stanford, although a iittle dragging, as is often noticeable in slow movements, the madrigals. "When Twilight's Parting Flush ,, and "Flow, O My Tears," "I hove My Love in the Morning.'' and "Corydon Arise. , '' excelled in finish and conception. Very prettily was sung the lovely 'Avo Maria" from Mendelssohn's "'Loreley" by the ladies alone, with Miss Beatrice Partridge as tasteful soloist. The "'Pilgrims' Chorus" from Wagner's"Tannhiiuser" had hardly reached a satisfying stage, partly owing to the soloists. 3liss Marjorie Harris, in snite of her pretty voice, and Mr John Hia'l, indecisive, feeling hardly at ease with the exacting music, whilst the accompaniment seemed forgetful that it stood for tho orchestra.

The soloists were Mrs McWhirtor, nee Fraser. and Mr Sidney Williamson. Mrs MeWhirtor was doubly welcome after a considerable interval, her pretty and weil-niunaged voice, except occasionally in its highest notvs, sounding very woll. indeed, especially in Duck* "When the Heart is Young" and Schumann's ''Moonlight." Sho atso took part in two duets with Mr Williamson, who himself contributed a spirited reading of Handel's I'aliious "0 Rui'dior Than the Cherry," as an encore "Sylvelin." and he repeated songs by Richard ■Strauss and Hbigo Wolf which had boon m;inh appreciated at bis recent recital. The, accompaniments by Miss Audrey Gibson exhibited the merits often commented upon, and now and tlnsn the defects. The audirneo was much impressed with the evening's entertainment, and applause ami recalls frequent and hearty. Ibe society, working whole-heartedly in its sphere, is undoubtedly an acquisition benefiting our musical life.