LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1864, 25 September 1913, Page 5

LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT.

Tho Wellington Liodortafel gave tho second concert of its twentieth season at tho Concert Chamber last evening before an audience which filled all parts of tho hall. The concert was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The primary object of any Liodortafel is tho cultivation of the art of malo part-singing, an art, by the way, which does not receive tho attention it deserves in this part of tho world. It is a inuchnegleotod factor in a musical life from an educative point of view, and one which helped to a very appreciable extent in extending a broad knowledge and love of good music ill tho Fatherland of music—Germany. That the present is the twentieth season of the Wellington Liedertafel is proof of the vitality of this phase of vocal music among a section of tho community, credit for which is very largely due to Mr. Robert Parker, an enthusiastic lover of the male part-song. Last evening's programmo was unusually attractive. Tho Liedertafel, which possesses a fairly sound body of voiccs, a little inclined to thinness of tone in the tenor division, gave pleasure in their singing "At Andernach in Rhineland," ono of tho most beautiful of that prince of part-song writers, Franz Abt. It was sung with considerable delicacj- and expression. Another number in which tho choir excelled was a placid little pastorale by Kuhlan, entitled ' "Every Rustling Tree," a cool, restful, and most melodious song in which words and music aro perfectly wedded. Probably the most ambitious ofrort was the tonor solo and chorus "Chorus of Spirits and Hours," from Dudley Buck's cantata "Prometheus ' Unbound," a difficult number, which calls for a good deal of the dramatic spirit. The solo was entrusted to Mr. Harold Bannister, and considering tho demands it mado upon him, ho acquitted, himself with credit, though tho music was slightly beyond his powers. Tho chorus was somewhat uneven in picking up its leads, but the final chorus was sung with rousing effect. Other part-songs wero Coleridge-Taylor's "0 Mariners Out of tho Sunlight," and his bold "Viking's Song" (words by David M'Keo Wright), "Sunrise" (Reitz), with quartet by Messrs. Gard, Carr, Waters, and Laycock, and "Tho Rover's Song" (Ekert).

A cordial reception was given Miss Monn Moore, a young pianist of decided talent, who-showed a fin© executive capacity, strength, 'and a nice interpretative senso in Grieg's "Sonata in E minor," for which she wn.s enthusiastically applauded. In Chopin's "Scherzo in C Sharp minor" her playing was scarcely so compelling. Tho technical difliculties appeared to rob the number of a certain elan so necessary in Schorzo-playing. The ladv vocalist of tho evening was Madame Nellie Fieldhouse, a cultured mezzo-contralto, who sings with taste and sympathy. She sang tile Handel aria "Lascia Oh'io Pianga" with every regard to its sentiment, and. for an encoro "My Garden." Later, she bracketed' three of Amy Woodforde Finden's "On Jhelum River" cycle—"Jhelum Boat Song," "Ashoo at her Lattice," and "Kingfisher ]31u0." Mr. Hugh Wright's bluff stylo and musical baritone were heard to distinct advantage in Parker's fine song "Tho Flying Dutchman," to which ho had to append "The Throo Beggars" (Molloy). jir. Robert Parker conducted tho Liedortafel, Mr. D. A. Kenny played tho accompaniments, and Mr. F. W. Rowley presided at the organ in the cantata number.