HARMONIC SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 281, 22 August 1921, Page 7

HARMONIC SOCIETY

A EXCELLENT CONCERT.

The concert given by the Wellington Harmonic Society in the Town Hall on Saturday tho second of the season—was entirely, successful. The programme was well selected, and the choir did credit to the conductor (Mr. H. Temple White), while the soloists were up to a high standard. The choir, which now numbers sixty, is well trained, and there is modulation which is seldom found in amateur choral societies. The members know tho difference between piano and forte—a fact which might well be observed by other choirs and quartets —and in one item especially that was demonstrated. The item in question was a charming part song, "Come Pretty Wag, and Sing," and in the recurring lines:

. . . For now the cuckoo sings, And echo doth rebound and dqllies with the sound, the echo effect was well brought out. This was one of the most effective numbers of the evening. Tho opeuinlTWSauber was a part song by Ed. German, "London Town,” published only last year. Tho words are John Masefield’s, and effective. There is a lilt to the song that makes it a popular number. Pretty- was "An Evening’s Pastorale" (Wilfrid Shaw), in which the sopranos and contraltos were heard to good effect, the male voices bringing out a kind of sweet counter-melody. Tho audience looked forward to tho stirring Scottish air "Blue Bonnots over tho Border," tho words of which are by Sir Walter Scott, but found that tho arrangement, by Hugh S. Robertson, was unfamiliar. The Cowen arrangement (the eolo) is the bettor, and is less drawn out. There was uot the some fire and vigour in tho arrangement as presented. A charming part-song, by Coleridge Taylor, "Encinctured with a Twine of Leaves," was much appreciated, and Brahma's "In Autumn," with its quiet beauty, impressed the audience. Other items were "A Negro Dirge" (Roberton arrangement on the old folk-song of the American negro slaves, “Massa's in the Cold, Cold Ground"), and a bridal chorus from the “Rose Maiden," by F. H. Cowen. The soloists wero Miss Carrie Lancoley, Mr. A. S. Hilliker (Wlist), and "The Harmonic Quartet.” Miss Lanceley, despite indisposition, eang her favourite "Jewel Song" (Faust), with expression, but her voice seemed strained m the top register. She sang well as an encore, “Ono Fino Day” (Puccini), but hero again her voice seemed tired. A bracket number, “Mignonette" and dol Riego s “The Reason” were much appreciated. Mr Hilliker played "Romance" (Tours),

and Labell’s "Allegretto" as a bracket, and followed those by Klengel’s "Andante" (Op. 7). He has not played solos for some time in Wellington, but he has lost none of the exquisite tone thnt characterised his playing on previous occasions. The quartet sang “Reveries," “Arise, ye Streams,” and "Tom, 'Tom, tho Piper's Son" (a clever encore number). Ate. Harold Whittle was a capable accompanist.