Harmonic Society’s “The Creation”

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31002, 7 March 1966, Page 16

Harmonic Society’s “The Creation”

The Christchurch Harmonic Society, conducted by Mr W. R. Hawkey, gave a performance of Haydn’s oratorio, “The Creation,” in the Civic Theatre on Saturday evening. The concert was promoted by the Lions Club and the proceeds were given to the United Nations Freedom-from-Hunger Campaign. More than £3OO was raised. There was a large audience: but it is regrettable that there were any empty seats, for the performance was creditable at all times and very good at most. The playing of the overture by the Civic Symphony Orchestra was not particularly impressive and seemed to need more preparation, but the general standard of playing of the accompaniments was good, and support was given to the soloists and chorus with attractive tonal qualities and with flexible turnings of expression. The dramatic nature of the work was realised in the playing as well in the singing. The choir was responsive in details of expression, in phrasing and in precise attack through most of the performance. Clarity of words was sometimes open to question—final consonants needing more care. There were times when a reediness of tone from the tenor section seemed to rob the soprano line of some of' its brilliant overtones. Apart from that the balance was: [excellent, and the pianissimo singing was delightful both in timbre and in detail nuance. All of chorus work has dramatic fire. There were occasions when the tempo chosen seemed to be faster than was comfortable for the technical security of the singers. Excitement was created but detail in contrapuntal singing became obscured and the extra richness of timbre in climaxes was lost. This meant that there was a certain sameness of performance in the lively choruses and even some loss of cohesion, especially in the, last chorus.

Mr Anson Austin’s phrasing was ‘supple and wellshaped. and his expression and tonal colourings were always convincingly dramatic. “In Native Worth” was sung with poise and telling atmosphere in every phrase. His

singing was deft and subtle and always held interest. The quality of Mrs Heather Taylor’s voice was always appealing and very well suited to the character of Haydn’s music. Occasionally some vowels had slight distortion which marred clarity and even flowing of phrasing. “On Mighty Pens.” sung with moving beauty, was more successful than “With Verdure Clad” which needed more wonderment and naive pleasure Both singers showed technical and artistic skill in their recitative singing, and they balanced admirably in duets. The bass part in this oratorio makes great demands in range, refinement of tonal colouring, and in powers of dramatic presentation. Mr Ron Gray gave a creditable rendering and his voice suited the part. Some false accentuation of unimportant syllables robbed much of his singing in recitatives of natural and supple flow with consequent loss in dramatic impact. The aria, “Roaming in Foaming Billows,” was sung adequately but the description of the creation of living beings, in part two of the work, gave the impression that most of them were stillborn. More than a modified rapture was needed to convey Adam’s enchantment with his consort.

A performance of this work Conducted by Mr Hawkey a few years ago had a sustained atmosphere of the refreshing innocence of a newly-created world. While this performance did not seem to convey that entirely, it was a thoughtful rendering, full Of meaning and vitality. Miss Nan Anderson’s accompanying of the recitatives gave confident support and appropriate tonal quality.