THE LIEDERTAFEL

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 3

THE LIEDERTAFEL

EXCELLENT SINGING AT SMOKE CONCERT For more than 50 years now the Christchurch Liedertafel, with its pleasant and informal concerts, has made a distinctive contribution to the musical life of Christchurch. At its smoke concert Oast evening the choir, under the conductorship of Mr Victor C. Peters, delighted its audience with its really able and lively sing-, ing. There was nothing heavy about the programme, which was well chosen for the occasion, and the soloists maintained the general high standard, especially Mr Noel Newson, who is widely known as a pianist of really outstanding ability. Opening with “The Dance (Elgar), with its rapid movement and strong rhythm, the choir showed at once its ability to maintain good tone with precision. “Serbian Cradle Song” (arranged by Norman Stone) was quieter, but with sonority and underlying strength even where' the lightest touch needed. In “A Summer Lullaby” (Gibson) the litling movement of the song was well brought out, with well managed contrasts. • “Peter the Cat,” a humorous number, and the justly popular “My Little Banjo”. (arr. Brewer) were admirably handled. Some of the most attractive singing of the evening was heard in Granville Bantock’s arrangement of the negro spiritual, “Go Down, Moses.' Then came “The Turtle Dove” (arr. Vaughan Williams), and the catchy Australian ballad, “Waltzing Matilda” (arr. T. Wood), in which the choir’s liveliness and thorough control enabled it to convey just the sprightly mood that was required. The choir concluded with its own “parting song ’ (Alfred Worsley). The vocal soloists included Mr Thorpe Cherry, who sang “Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind” (Quilter), Mr L. N. Fleming, “Muleteer of Malaga” (Trotere); Mr W. G. Ives, “Serenade” (Schubert), and Mr P. A. Caithness, “Lighterman Tom” (Squire). At the piano Mr Noel Newson showed the qualities that have given him an outstanding place among New Zealand pianists. He is accurate, produces an excellent tone, and shows a really musicianly understanding of the works he plays. His numbers included Chopin’s “Prelude in B Fiat Major,” “Ballade in G Minor,” and “Study in F Major,” Rachmaninoff’s “Prelude in G Sharp Minor,” Paderewski’s “Theme Varie,” and Smetana’s “Bohemian Dance.”

The success of the choir was a tribute to the abilities of Mr Peters as conductor. Mr G. M. Martin was accompanist. During the evening Mr R. A. Beveridge, who has been a member of the choir for 32 years, was invested with the gold badge of a life member. •