CHORAL MUSIC

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22520, 30 September 1938, Page 10

CHORAL MUSIC

CANTERBURY COLLEGE SOCIETY'S CONCERT

The students of the University Choral Society, at their concert in the College Hall last evening, sang with an enthusiasm that carried all before them. Guided by Professor J. C. Bradshaw, they gave a programme of part-songs with an enthusiasm and spontaneity that must have delighted their conductor as it certainly did their audience. With such willing voices, difficulties disappear. Professor Bradshaw's dignified academic song, in praise of the university, with which the programme opensd, rang out well. The quartet of voices of Misses Cuff and Dalziel and Messrs Newman and Robinson alternated well with the chorus. There followed Elgar's songs, "From the Bavarian Highlands," for chorus and orchestra. ,There was no doubt by the opening bars of the first song, "Come and Hasten to the Dancing," of the freshness and vigour of the students' singing, nor did this abate in the succeeding songs, "False Love," "Lullaby," "Aspiration," and "On the Aim." A trim small orchestra, led by Miss Irene Morris, showed how much is gained when these songs are given with some attempt to provide a proper accompaniment. The orchestra played well, perhaps best of all in the "Lullaby." The remaining songs sung by the students were Hatton's "Stars of the Summer Night," Stanford's "Sweet Love for Me," Pearsall's "Sing We and Chaunt It," Beale's "Come Let Us Join the Roundelay," and Ravenscroft's "In the Merry Spring," the last-named with the same quartet that sang in the opening song. As these titles suggest, these part-songs were mainly of that light melodious kind that runs along with a "fa la la" refrain. Much the most interesting, also the most difficult, was that by Ravenscroft, and in this the students sang best of all. In addition Miss Louise Croucher and Professor Bradshaw played Schumann's Sonata in A minor, for violin and pianoforte, op. 105. For some reason or other this sonata comes rarely to the concert platform; its sentiment, appassiato e con espressione, was well conveyed by the players last evening. A considered performance such as I theirs is to be welcomed.

Miss Molly Hatherley, accompanied] by Miss Lilian Harper, sang. a group of Schumann's "Sandman," Rachmaninoff's "Harvest of Sorrow," Delius's "The Nightingale," and two insignificant songs, by Gwendoline Knight and Richard Hageman. In the more musical of these songs there were some attractive qualities. The singer did not always gauge properly the acoustics of the hall. Miss Bessie Pollard played two Busoni arrangements; of a Bach chorale. "I Call Upon Thee." of Beethoven's "Ecossaise," and the gigue from Bach's Partita in B flat, m musical style. Accompanied by Miss' Pollard, Miss Nancy Estall played 'cello solos, a sicilienne by Paradis. a gavotte by Hillemarcher. and an arrangement of Wagner's "O Star of Eve," with good sustained tone. The sicilienne, in that suave style tlie 'cello can adopt so well, was most enjoyable.