AN ENJOYABLE CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 8, 4 October 1919, Page 10

AN ENJOYABLE CONCERT

C.T.'S MALE VOICE CHOIR,

Everyone with • a love of ensemble singing will rejoice at learning that (ho male voice choir is not to be allowed to dio out altogether in Wellington. On the showing made at its first concert in public in the Concert Chamber last evening, the Commercial, Travellers' Association's male voice choir bids fair to fill a void in the musical life of tho city. The choir boasts twenty members, but though the number might be strengthened, the vocal quality was there—strong, lusty voices, under admirable control—and the sectional balance was quite admirable. For once was heard an adequate first tenor division that was equal (o all demands in attack and well-sustained tone,, whilst the bass divisions wore, too, excejitionally strong. The net result was male voice singing such as has not been heard in Wellington for many years, and Iwth the' association and Ihe conductor, Mr. H. Temple While, are to he congratulated. The choir sang with hearty zest and good articulation such part sours as "On the March" (Becker), H. Watford Davies's "Hymn Before Action" (Kipling's lyrics), Sullivan's "The Beiraguerpd," and Gerard Cobb's "If Doughty Deeds." nnd in n softer mood Kdward German's "0 Peaceful Night," "Spin, Spin," nnd Blinuenlhal's naivelv humorous" part song, "What Care ] How Fair She Be." in which tho lover's pla'nt was_ voiced with such rare point nnd : spirit (hat i(« repetition was promptly I demanded. The rest 'of (lie pro*. | gramme was of' a miVellnneous charneler and uniformly high-class. Mr. -Norman Watson, whose tone is sweetly sympathetic, played as violin solos D.'Ambre.vo's "C.inzonetln" mid Picnic's popular "Serenade," the poetic melodv of which never fails in its appeiil. Miss liilcen Uriscoll, who was in excellent voice snug thai novel s-onpr, "Bredon Hill," with its chiming melody and .Sablwlh almosphere; encored, sho rendered with spring-time spirit Leoncavallo's charming ballad, "Tis Ihe Day." As Mr. Hugh "right was unable to sing the duet programmed on his account with Miss L'riscoll, the soprano, fang "Morning am! "urn- with delightful chin, ami, when' recalled, Alfred .Hill's "YVaialu Maori," which calls iur more dramatic breadth (nan (lie vocalist can lay claim to. Tinsurprise of t ho concert 'was the singing ol Mr. I; rank Charles, a robust baritone ol hue capacity. His tun,. ~s and musical, and' his interpretations were iniirked.y intelligent. Mr. diaries wiiif "The \, iiulmill," "Tim Unnio Song.". "Hybrius Ihe Cretan," and "The Blind 1 longlnnuii." A tuneful (enor, 100, is Mr. K 11. Jenkins, who contributed "Mv Cmi.tii ' iiiiiiinviirMiil' i and !i.<d ,o respond lo an encore. Mr. .1. Hearle sane Hie I ui-iiaiiM-. "Lend Me Vour Aid" M'i i- j nod), fairly well, mul, on being recalled was heard to better advantage in the haiihid, i 'Tor You Alone" (Gheel). Mr. llimM Wind|o acco-npiiiiieo i.iilii.iiuly.