LIEDERTAFEL.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19137, 21 October 1927, Page 2

LIEDERTAFEL.

w LADIES' NIGHT. Last night, at the Choral Hall, behind an unusually gay floral display, the gentlemen of the Liedertafel, headed by Mr Alfred Worsley, held the second levee of the year in honour of their lady friends, who were present in large numbers. They made strenuous eiforts to give their best and were eminently successful, particularly as far as it concerns the choral body of the programme. In both the two first part-songs, Harrison's "Viking Song" and Coleridge Taylor's "Who Will Worship God Pan," the choir attained again the richly resonant sonority that is unsurpassed within our fair City. But all the same they fell back easily into the lyric strains and shadings requisite for Muller's "Serenade," with Mr J. H. Cocks as expert soloist, and Abt's ''Evening," the encore on demand. As their final of the first part figured Mr Alfred Worsley's ingeniously set five-part fugue, "Tobaoclrb," the repetition of which, in the presence of ladies, the president, Dr. Leslie Crooke, strove to justify, apparently winning gracious acceptance, for it was sung twice, and very smartly, too. In the second section was specially prominent Goss's fine five-part glee, "0, Thou Whose Beams," which brought again very effective tone masses, well modulated. The Thuringian folk song, "How Canst Be," is one of the most charming German airs preserved and was welcome in Abt's harmonised setting. With a very formidable part-song, Palliard's "Voice of the Torrent." and their own "Parting Song" the choir maintained vigorously very favourable" opinions to the end. Four vocal soloists and two pianists gave their helpful services with encores for all. As male alto, Mr W. Lowry, evidently a good singer, can hardly be encouraged to use his voice as a soloist. Dr. Robinson E. Hall's deep bass is under good control and only in the last part of his encore, "Cargoes," by Conningsby Clarke, he revealed its fully telling' power. OF Dr. Stanley, Foster's three songs by Lassen, Schubert, and Massenet he sang most effectively of all "Hark, Hark, the Lark," showing an improved tone-quality and much spirit. The jgentler mood of "I Shall Not PassV made agreeably the better part of Mr P. Hockley's choice. As solo pianist, Dr. Leslie Crooke laid himself under suspicion of having resumed piano practice, reminding one of "days of long ago" by the way he played pieces by Wagner—Liszt, and Schumann once more. With Mr Alfred Worsley's assistance were forthcoming duets by Moszkowsky aril Dvorak : n very good arid complete stvle, and Dr. Crooke's accompaniments proved! as reliable and helpful as ever.