SCOTTISH FOLK SONGS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18364, 23 April 1925, Page 14

SCOTTISH FOLK SONGS.

MR HEUGHAN'S RECITAL. Mr "William Heughan; a dramatic basso cantante,. who gave a series of recitals in the Caledonian Hall some weeks ago, is now appearing with Ins concert comrades at tho Liberty Theatre, and gave his opening programme last night. Mr Heughan is touring under the auspices of the Burns Federation, London, and his repertoire accordingly consists j n the main of Scottish items, mostly folk songs and old ballads, never heurd except on occasions such as the present. To everybody appreciative of Scottish comedy and melody, the recitals will possess an overpowering interest. i3allads sung bv Mr Heuchan last iM'jflit were "The Carl of Kellyburn Braes." •'.Jenny Dang the Weaver," "The Barrin' o' the Door," "The Skyc Boat Song." and "Maid of Morven..'' These all required some knowledge fur their . understanding, and that .knowledge tvas imparted by Mr Heughan in prefatory lccturettes. One son of Caledonia present wanted something ho knew, and clamoured •for "A Hundred Pipers." and Mr Heughan obligingly sang that old favourite, and related the account of the incident in the Jacobite Rebellion commemorated by the song. Folk songs and ballads, not Scottish. were also sung. Thesp were "'Phil the Fluter's Ball," an Irish ballad, "Desiring Away with a Smoothing Iron." a composition •evolved. 'in old Somerset, ""Widdicnmbe Fair," an old Devonshire ballad, ''lt was a Lover and his Lass," ii Shakespearean ballad suiig according to the original setting, being not that bv which the song is better known, although not unlike it, and the Alfred Hill Maori poi song, "Watata Poi." Mr Heuehan's voice is one of vast power and it was reallv astonishing how well ho employed it in the interpretation of so many tyoes of song. It was for example quite a new experience to hear, "A Lover and his Lass" sung by a basso. In -the. strictly limited operatic items presented, the voice had proper scone and to manv the recitative and aria; "Snore che ri.poaate" frnra Meyerbeer's '''Roberto il Diavolo" was the most enjoyable offering throughout the programme. The programme itself was unusual in its arrangement. It. contained a whole inventory of songs each one numbered from 1* to 180 and Mr Heughan before entering unon an item would announce the numbe"iv : It was irritating to see the names of so many fine songs that one would like to bear from a voice of Mr Heughr.n's calibre, but didn't. Such sone;s as "Tri Cellar Cool." "Yeomen of England," "Land of Hope and Glorv," "The Trumpeter," "The Floral Dance,""Father O'Flynn" and "Men of Harlech," old songs certainly, but all made.new again when sung.as Mr Heughan could 'sing them.. In suoport of Mr Heughan was Mr Hymare Leuzer, a„violinist of rare skill, who played "La Preoieuse" (Couperin), "Gyp?- Airs" (Sarasate), "Scene de Ballet" (De'Beriot). "Andantino" (Lemarc) and "Souvenir".(Drdla). Miss Gladys Sayer' plaved the accompaniment's and several;solo items. .