THE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1168, 1 July 1911, Page 6

THE MUSIC FESTIVAL.

.. .... — . —._, —, . SHEFFIELD CHOIR'S SECOND -CONCERT.. .■. As on the.occasion of its' opening' concert on Thursday evening, the Sheffield Choir's second concert at the Town Hall last'evening was attended by a great audience, which filled all parts of tho big hall. To the general impressions formed of the'ehoir at its first concert, one lias very little to add. A programme containing such'items as Bach's unaccompanied choral motet for double choir, a fanciful idyll, "Pan," by Dr. Harriss, Sir Hubert Parry's ode "Blest Pair of Sirens," and a few old English part songs, may, in certain important respects, be expected to create somewhat different impressions than are associated with such an intricato and strikingly dramatic work as "Tho Dream of Gerontius." Tho Bach motet, "Sing Ye to the Lord," for example, is ono of the masterpieces of the great Johaun Sebastian Bach; it is a magnificent choral fugue, unaccompanied, furnishing opportunities for the display of the highest qualities of an efficient choir. It is devotional rather than dramatic, although, in a religious sense, instinct with dramatic feeling. The impressiveness of the fuguo lies rather- in' the.majestio dignity, of the' responses than in its melodic oharm, though the'simple cadences give point to tho contrapuntal passages, and serve to colour'tho whole. It is hardly necessary to say, therefore, that under tho mesmeric baton of Dr. Coward, tho,': singing of Bach's magnificent motet was' something to remember. Without accompaniment, the voices of the singers wero heard to the greatest advantage. Tho discipline of attack was indeed excellent. ■ . . .... "Pan," described as a "symphonic cnoric idvll,"was written by. Dr.. Harriss himself, .for the farewell State concert given nt Ottawa in honour of tho Earl and Countess of Minto, on the night previous to their departure from tho capital. The 'libretto is by' Josephine Preston Peabody, : ;and'is based upon tho '.'legendary god >"Paii," Arcadian deity, arid .the birth of music. The "performance of- "Pan" by the choir introduced Dr. Harriss in tho rolo of a conductor. Temperamentally, Dr. Coward and Dr. Harriss aro distinctly separated,' and this difference is at once detected when Dr. Harriss: picks up his baton. He is,quick, energetic, highly strung, and less conventional in his wielding of the baton than Dr. Coward. His stylo is that of the Frenchman rather than' that of tho more restrained Briton. In 'Tan" one felt rather, .disappointed. Ono is inclined to expect from an Arcadian idyll a graceful pastoral, instinct with the placid aspect and tranquil beauty of Nature. Dr. Harriss has not iwritten such a work. It may, of course, be that in setting out to present to the world a ."symphonic chonc idyll" the composer. was aiming -at .an expression -of the complex emotions of supernatural beings, hut if that were his intention it was not achieved. One felt that "Pan": was simplo opera, whose claims to premier rank could not very well be admitted. Tho orchestration is bizarre, but incoherent. The chorus work, of which therc.'is not a very great deal, is ' attractive in places, but there one's admiration ceases'. The principal soloists Were Miss Maud Willby (soprano), who, as "Syrinx," one of Diana's nymphs, gave a very acceptable interpretation of her part—Miss Willby has a very sweet voice, under excellent command; Mr. Wilfrid Virgo, the tenor, and ono of the .fauns in the story, was not very heavily burdened, and did his work The part of Pan, tho Shepherd God, was taken by Mr. Robert Chigcell (bass), whose responsibilities wero fairlv heavy. '■ Mr. Chignell's work was conscientious and correct, but rather colourless. Lady Nora Noel, who was to havo taken the part of "Echo" (soprano), was absent. Her part, which was a very light one, was taken by Miss Willby. One of the memorable items of the concert was the singing of Sir Hubert Parry's ode, "Blest Tair of Sirens" (Milton), one of the most attractive and popular of choral works. The odo is simplo in construction, deriving, as a matter of .fact, much of' its popularity, from its simple beauty and dignified theme. 'It was magnificently sung by tho Choir, under Dr. Coward.

! But perhaps tho most chaTming, in tho popular sense, of all the items were tho old English part-soDgs, which Dr. Coward very kindly added to the programme. Nearly evoVy one knows. "The Bells of St. Michael's Tower," • but it, is safe to say that very few in * Wellington" have ever heard it sung as the Sheffield Choir sang it lost-night. It was a revelation. The characteristic

in the part-song is the ringing of tho bells, and the manner in which the carillon was "pictured" by this accomplished company was something to - remember. Tho Choir also fang tho old English madrigal "In Going To My Lonely Bed," and Sir A. C. Mackenzie's eccentric setting of tho Ingoldsby ballad, "Franklyn's Dogge Leped a Fence." In response to a demand for an' encore, tho ladies of the Choir sang very charmingly a beautiful Indian lullaby. Their Excellencies,. the Governor and Lady Islington, and party attended the concert. This afternoon a popular matinee concert is fo be given by tho Sheffield Choir, and, in the evening, the Choir, augpiented by the Wellington Auxiliary Choir, will give a performance of Mendelssohn's "Elijah." This sbould bo a notable concert. ON THE RUSH. TESTEEDAY AND TO-DAY. Tho Sheffield Choir paid a visit to Palmerston North and gave a concert there yesterday (as reported elseswhcre) They went up by special train at 11.45 a.m., and arrived back in town at 7 o'clock Inst evening. They were given tea in tho Concert Chamber, after which they buckled on. their vocal armour again, and sang through a long programme in the Town Hall. Truly, a strenuous day. Another tiring oxperieneo awaits them to-day. This morning they aro to rehearse with the local auxiliary choir for this evening's performance of "Elijah," a popular concert will be given this afternoon, his Excellency will entertain them at Government Houso at 4.30 p.m., and to-night they will sing ''Elijah," after which they leave for Lyttolton. Wellington will only figure in the memories of the Sheffielders as a place "somewhere in the middlo of New Zealand." where they played a now form of football, and scored heavily.