Thank you for correcting the text in this article. Your corrections improve Papers Past searches for everyone. See the latest corrections.

This article contains searchable text which was automatically generated and may contain errors. Join the community and correct any errors you spot to help us improve Papers Past.

Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image
Article image

HARMONIC SOCIETY

A GOOD CONCERT The Wellington Harnionic Society, established by Mr. 11. T'emplo White, has now a definite standing iu the musical lifo of Wellington, and its concerts am invariably well attended. That on Saturday evening at the Concert Chamber would probably have 'been packed but for tho southerly rain storm keeping many people at home. Tho society as a choral body was hardly so strong or well balanced as is usual, (he contralto and bass sections suffering most numerically, though the quality of the latter was quito good. Although the society earned a good namo. for itself last year for conscientious work and interpretation, it was thought that an improvement would be. registered on that form, but that, is scarcely thought to be (ho case. In fact: tho vocal quality of the society hardly appeared on Saturday tvenintr to be as good ns wo remember it. There was more than a suspicion of flatness 011 the part of (he tenors in one or two places, and I heir tone body lacked virility iu attack. The basses, though few in number, were very effective. To pursue this lino of criticism, the s.onrnno section was «trong and of good duality; the contraltos indifferent iu both respects. Where I ho choir scored was in those virtues which emanate from tho conductor, carefully shaded modulation, phrasing, and articulation. The programme was largely composed of part songs which have found fnvour al previous concerts. Among these were Dudley Buck's old-fashioned but very beautiful "Hymn lo Masie." which such societies have sung for half a century past tho world over: Coleridg" Taylor's fine part soil 1?. "Tho Tee Shore" (a musical setting to Tom Hood's verse!; that hoary favourite, "The Bells of St. Mipliael'c Tower" (SlewarlV with ils striking bell effects; and Fannin::'* "Song of (lie Vikings." Rrahms is atony-- delightful. an*' "In Silent Vighl" anil the hvmn-like "Love, Fare Thee Well," the choir was hoard to distinct advantage. 11. S. Robertson is a composer who is faithful to "Caledonia stern and wild" to his subjects. Two of his part songs were given, "Ay Waukin' 0" (lyric by TfoVrt Burns) and "An Erisknv T.ove Lilt" (Eriskay is one tf the Hebrides nroun and the refrain is set to lines written in Erisey, Ihe ancient language of those parts). Another welcome ro•■nnf- 11 limbers was Elgar's "Fir. Sin<?i>'!c Bird," for ladtos' voices, accompanied by Mr. Harold Whittle at the piano, and M '--s T.auric Anderson and Mr. S. .1. Anderson in a harmonised obbligalo. Tho choir nossesses n fairlv comnoW; male quartet in Messrs. V. E. Bennett. G. M. Howe, W. Feilding and C. W. Svensen. The timorous and plaintive quality of the "melody voice" iu "0- Peaceful Ntoht" (German), and "When Evening's Twiliirhl" (Hatton) is a weakness. Tin) C|uariet was. however, encored 011 both oeasions. and samr "Fi-hing" and "Lovely Night." In the comic number occurred a most linsonl pau-e. At (hp "'id of the first nhra-e the audience waited and the singers looked at one another e-c----necto'dlv. then Hie second. tenor broke i:i witli the words, "But he dicing get a bile" with very humorous effect. The sinner had simnly forgotten that he had to "omn in solus.

The vocal soloist of fhe evening was i.liss Peeirv Jones, who came under notice at the recent competitions. Miss •Tones has n briliaut soprano voice of e\-"<-llent oualily end power, which, in fho hands of a good (cacVr, could be mad" much of. At nresenl her nhrasing is good and articulation fair. There wn= '( susnicion of stridency in her' hi'/h notes, but the "veil nne'itv nf the or'rn.n. fine range, and fonal tenth give M'=s .Tones the place of Wellington's mo«t promisimr At present she is emidionrdlv and v nc ei'vcd —that should disappear with nlalform. exn.'-ri-enee and some interpretive direetiVn. M'-s .Tones sail" "^to' 1 * of th.e Ototleil and "Fa.""well to Slimmer" (No»l .Tflhn=nnV and es encores. "Morning" and "O Lo'-olv Sprintr." The. ba---copn is a verv effective in an oreliestrn. but is scnrHv suitable tor colo work-. ?fr. B. Vaf"s is an able bassoonist, and. in i u *o Mendelssohn airs and "Lucy Ton?" 'h"wed how the bv: vnod ca" be otoved solus without ex"Vin" biir'it"". " '''he accompanist was Mr ''Harold Whittle. Air. H. Teimi'c White conducted with his customary cure and reserve.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/DOM19191215.2.117

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 69, 15 December 1919, Page 16

Word count
Tapeke kupu
720

HARMONIC SOCIETY Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 69, 15 December 1919, Page 16

HARMONIC SOCIETY Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 69, 15 December 1919, Page 16

Help

Log in or create a Papers Past website account

Use your Papers Past website account to correct newspaper text.

By creating and using this account you agree to our terms of use.

Log in with RealMe®

If you’ve used a RealMe login somewhere else, you can use it here too. If you don’t already have a username and password, just click Log in and you can choose to create one.


Log in again to continue your work

Your session has expired.

Log in again with RealMe®


Alert