LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2282, 16 October 1914, Page 2

LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT

Tho Concert Chamber was comfortably filled last evening, when the Wellington Liedertafel gave its second concert of the season. A commentary on the concert-loving taste was tho facfc that' there wero present at least half-a-dozen ladies to every gentleman, but nevertheless tho applause was unusually hearty, for an audience of the- fair, showing that the. really woll-solectea was well in harmony with the times —was to thoir taste. The Licdortafel pursues tho ovon tenor of its way, maintaining a consistent standard in good part songs with-a Iwdy of voicos which have done faitMu) Bervice for many years past in 'Wellington. Ono respects the Liedertafel, and its rovorod conductor, Mr. Robert Parleer, as an institution. Among the oldtime favourites sung last evening wore Dudley Buck's "The Spring is Come" and "In, Absence," and Kinkel's "The Soldier's , ' Farewell." A notably fine part-song was Walford Davies's '.'Hymn Before Action," which was vory liicelj interpreted. The programme also included "A Battle Prayer" (Storch), and Sullivan's part song "The Beleaguered." In the second half, tho Liedertafel 6ang five numbers of Sir Charles V. Stanford's "Sea Songs," musical settings to some of Henry Newbolt's ' admirable verses. Tho music does not at all times give tlie happiest expression to the lyrics. "Drake's Drum," sung by Mr. i\ V. Waters, is only a fairly effective reflection of the spirit of the poem, and "Outward Bound" (sung by Mr. C. Clarkson) and "Homeward Bound" (sung in somewhat doleful stylo by Mr. F. Laycock), are, musically, not vory interesting. "The Old Superb , ; (sung by Mr. Hugh Wright) is outstandingly line, and "Devon, 0 Devon" (sung by Mr. Clarkson) is 'characteristic. C'ole-lidge-Taylor was represented bj; hie "Viking Song," viral and sturdy. "Rule Britannia" (solo by tho Rev. A. W. H. Compton) was also included in the programme. Pride of place among the soloists must be given to Mr. 0. H. Stephens for his very artistic singing of "The Sande o . Dee" (play). This difficult seng was sung with feeling and fine vooal finish. Neither in voice nor stylo was Mr. Stephens robust enough in Wallace's "For tho Crown." Mr. Charles Clarkson sang "The Sea Road" capitally, and Mr. F. Tunloy intoned Schumann's great song "The Two Grenadiers," without tho slightest regard for its dramatic spirit. Mrs. Stephens, who accompanied hor husband, played as pianoforte 6oli a "Study and a "Prelude," two cousinly piecos by Mendelssohn, with easy graco. Air. Parker conducted.