MUSIC.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1162, 24 June 1911, Page 9

MUSIC.

(Bv Theme Clef.) Due To-morrow. The glorious company of the Sheffield Choir is duo in Auckland from Sydney to-morrow, and ti-ill arrive in Wellington on Thursday next. L- was "Tho Messiah" which they opened with in Sydney. Tins is wluit l!:o "Herald'' says;— '"JL'uu iorkshire singers earned all before luem at tiio 'iowu iiau last nigiu. An immense audience, wmi-n nic;Uucu Ino and Louy uulen and many distinguished people, (iensoiv crowned I'to auditorium, and ivniist tho sacred uiusic ot "ljio Mcssian" was listened to throughout wuli tne deepest attemion, there were several occasions on wmen enthusiasm ran high. This was naturally wo case alter liauliei's majestic " and spirit-stirring ensembles in "Per Lmto Is," and the "ilalielttjali Chorus"; but more especially tho audience recognised ilio astonishing vocal agility and precision with which every section oi the Sheffield Choir in turn vanquished the difficulties ef the irequently omitted "His "ioko is Easy." At this point; Dr. Henry Coward bent before the storm of applause again and again. His conducting, which reminded many music lovers of" the late J. A. Delany, was marked by a great deal of energy, ceaseless watchfulness, and evident care. The English choir triumphed all along the lino by their fine expression and characteristic, vical quality. The tenors more - particularly asserted their special timbre, the sopranos were very brilliant, the contraltos,' though not richer in tho lower register than our own Philharmonic, exhibited a rare purity of tone, and the' basses were admirable, though rather lev,- in number. In the ensembles the singers' well-school-ed art in clearness of diction and attention lo light and shade gave evidence of the large proportion of cultivated musicians included amongst them. Thus, for the first time in the musical history of Australia, through the imlefr.tigable' enterprise, of Dr. Charles Ilarriss, a great English choir appeared in Sydney's Hall of Song. Hitherto artists from Europe have, "come in sing'o spies," but with the Sheffield singers here we must acclaim them "in battalions." Last night's performance was happily remarkable in other respects. The quartet of soloists, Misses Jenny Taggart ami Gertrude Lonsdale. Messrs. Henry Turnpenny anil .Robert Charlcsworth, won entire acceptance."

Interpretations of "The Messiah." A great deal of interest was taken in tho interpretations of "The Messiah" adopted by Dr. Coward (says tho "Sydney Morning Herald"). In "For Unto Us" the Sydney Philharmonic has always adopted a pianissimo (not marked in t.ie score) for the first vocal onirics, in order to emphasise the climax, but the Sheffield Choir rejects tlus reading. Their technical points were the surprising vocal fluency of the basses in the runs, and the ringing quality of the tenors. The sonorous outbursts with trumpet and drum were, of course, effectively .made, with the accustomed rallaulando at tho vocal conclusion. At this point Dr. Coward was puzzled and disturbed by applause, which arose from the fact that our audiences have lately heard Handel's fine instrumental termination omitted, ;i detrimental departure from (he score evidently not adopted in Kngland, and unknown in (his country until about three years ago. The Sheffield Choir made the finest, revelation of their style in Ihe oppning of the second part with "Behold the Lamb of God," in which the choral expression of suffering resignation lo a Divine will was remarkable. This power ol united expression was demonstrated also in th.: ironic delivery of

"Ho Trusted in God," a difficult number that was given with confidence, lleauliful also was the interpretation of "Surclv." There was a new ell'eel: at the end of "0 Thou that To]lest," (he contraltosdescending softly in order that the Xist few liars might: be worked up in an accelerated crescendo; and an almost Moulical reading was beautifully achieved from the opening (hv the Imi.—'cs'i nf Ihe brief adagio at the close of "All We Like Sheep." "The Messiah" is always splendidly rendered by the Royal Sydney Philharmonic, so that there were momcnls when memory recalled the greater volume of the ;!.")D voices; but I lie Yorkshire singer- have Hie individuality of timbre, and the marked cultivation, and (heir visit is highly instructive.

Lieutenant-Genera] Sir I!. liadcu-Pnwell h.'js sent a complete file of copies of llm "Mafoking Ga7.et.le," published during the famous siege of that (own. to the.Shepherd's Bush Inhibition. I'.very copv ol tho paper, is marked, "Issued daily, shell;' permitting.''