SONG RECITAL.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1425, 27 April 1912, Page 6

SONG RECITAL.

« HAMILTON HODGES AT THE TOWN -,IIALL. Never wa« such a season for successful concerts. One is apt to take heart of graco and suppose that the; cause of these crowded halls is the extra quality of the programmes Submitted, and Iho artists concerned in their presentation. Certain it. is that no fault can be found with the two programmes Mr: Hamilton Hodges has submitted at his recitals this year, and of the assisting artists nought l>ut praise call fairly bo bestowed. At last evening's recital, which was attended by mere jieonle than the Concert Chamber could seat, ilr. Hodges submitted a programme that was educative as well as musically interesting. Owing to a cold he was not in the best of.voice, and somo of ("lie songs sung toward tiie end of tho concert were not done full justice to, oil account of the evident effort made to produce big tones with a tired and somewhat ragged voice. 111'. Hodges was at his best earlier in the evening, when lie sang with" finished artistry Muratori's charming song. "Poneri Cor,'' a pretty songlet by Von Tielitz, entitled "Bluthen Bluthen TJberall," and Schubert's "The Wanderer," a notably fine effort. In the _ English section a tender little dewdrop in song, entitled "Forget-me-not," by Amy Elsie Horrocks, mado a favourable impression, and the singer revelled riotously in Mallinson's song of joy, "Glorinna," and in sombre mood, "Tour by the Clock,," by tho same talented composer. A cycle of American-Indian songs by Charles Wakefield Cadman (>.et to good lyrics of Nellie R. Eberhart), struck a new note. It is an Indian lover with his llute who sings under the moon •his.soulful serenade. A ilute prelude and obbligatd is given to each song, giving it Ihe spirit of the wild, but musically the cycle lacked interest. In striving tor an effect, the composer misses tho essential element of melody. Perhaps the most interestingbudget of songs to those present were those by New Zealand composers. The first was "Aubade" (Morning Song), by Mr. J. Maughan Harnett, set to the lyrics of Annie Chambers Ketchum. Whilst the composer lias tuned his lyre to a galloping rhylhm well in keeping with the spirit of tho song, the melody is unconventional and without charm. "Sleep Song," by Mr. Baxter Buckley, of Wellington, a drowsily tuneful little measure, found immediate favour. Mr. Horaeo Hunt, also of Wellington, was represented by his song "Compensation," which was not so well sung by Mr. Hodges, who was inclined to shout in an exultant mood, and in doing so lost vocal quality. "Farewell," a song by Ethel Wright, proved to be a little gem, aud was charmingly sung, and "I.ovo Not," a song composed by Mrs. Ernest n. Qtierec (tho accompanist of the evening) is a really notable number that should become popular with singers of lieder. Whilst admirably expressing the emotional lines accurately and with poetical tceling, it is splendidly melodious- and Mr. Hodges interpreted it with artistic colour and conviction. Alfred Hill's "My Fairest Child" was not u;ell sung—plainly, Mr. Hodges went to picces in it. For one of his encores, Mr. Hodges's sang Arthur Foote's charming song "Onco At tho Angelus," with much feeling. Sir. Baxter Buckley, who has been accepted as a solo pianist of rare virtuosity, exnibitcd his big technique and executive brilliancy in Chopin's "Andante Spiniuto," and the "Polonaise in E Flat." He was cold and slightly carcless in the first number, but warmed up to his work in the "Polonaise," which he played with a .dash and sparkle that was exhilarating His other numbers were "L'Alovette" (Glinka-Balekview), and Moskowski's entrancing "Tarantelle in G Flat." As an cncore ho played MacDonnell's flambuoyant and picturesque "Polonaisa" magnificently, and liad to play yet another piece before the audience would allow him to depart. Mr. Herbert Bloy, the violinist, was in capital form, and played Tartini's "Devil's Trill" with rare power and technical mastery.