THE HARMONIC SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 182, 4 May 1925, Page 6

THE HARMONIC SOCIETY

"THE PFGGAR’S OPERA” TN CHORAL FORM. The concert given by flic Harmonic Society at the. Concert Chamber on Saturday evening was a di’ight from beginning to end. The programme was arranged with impeccable taste, and the inclus : on of Gay’s " Heggan’s Opera” for the second part was in keeping, for the airs used by William Gay in his roguish work were culled from the very best sones by medieval English composers. Of the part songs those of Roberton command osreeial ieeoenition for the sheer beauty of their harmonic setting. “All in the April Evening.” a hymn-'ikn setting of very beautiful apostrophe by Katherine Tynan, and another gem of devotional melody bv the same composer, the Celtic hymn'. “Tho Outgoing of the Boats” (from' J. S. le Fann’s "Beatrice”), a supplication to flic saints to preserve those who are faring seaward, in which the male voices sing the melody to the wailing sighs of the women in accompaniment. were singled out for repetition, and both con’d well bo repeated, as they arc true gold. Dudley Buck's “Hymn to Music” is a good, if not an inspired, part song, and was sung a good deal better than was the case last season, “You Stole My Love” (Macfarren) ami (lie madrigal, “My Bonnie Lass She Smilcth” (German), both delicious part songs in a lighter vein, were handled with a delicacy and tone alike admirable. "The Shower” (Elgar) was another gem of purest rad'anec in nnrt song, and the quaint folk song, “The .Turtle Dove” (arranged by Vaughan Williams), wns so attractive to the ear that it hnd to bo repealed. Mr. G. A. Roberts, the soloist, displayed a baritone voice of promise. “To Morning” (Bantock), for female voices, was marred lev a slight flattening hero and there. The choral setting of “The Beggar’s Opera” was arranged by Alan rice Jacobson, who has written In a short overture. and has linked up the principal airs will) a pianoforte score all sufficient for the purpose, and which was well played by Air. Harold Whittle. Tho fantasia is not limited lo the choruses in th'- opera. but many of tho solos and duets are scored for the four voices, with a result entirely pleasing. The only exception was tho undue acceleration of tho tempo in the final chorus. "Fill Every Glass.” which robbed it of the tiny swing this number had in the operatic version. The numbers used in the now s'tting are "Let Us Take the Road.” “Come. Sweet Lass.” "If the Heart of a Alan.” "The' First Time at a Looking-glass.” “Virgins are I.ike the Fair Flower,’’ In The Davs of Mv A’oiith.” “Alv’TTeart was Free.” "Fretiy Polly. Say.” “Before the Barn Door Crowing.” “Cease Your Funning.” Perhaps tho society may ho persuaded to vfpeat this work before the close of the season. It would be a merry number for tho final concert for tho rear. The society was assisted by Airs. J, F. Woodward, soprano, and Mr. I.con. de Mauny, violinist. Mrs. AVoodward’s light hut singularly pu’-e am] bird-like soprano was heal'd to advantage in. the Jewel Song fi'om “Faust” (Gounod), but that advantage would have b'-en more palpable had tho accompanist, taken into greater consideration the delicate texture of the voice. As it was, the pianoforte dominated throughout. T'’r beauf’fpl songs of ATontague Phillips have no bettor exponent in AVellington than Airs. Woodward, and she carolled vey sweetly “Lilac” (a new number with a brilliant accompaniment, only suitable tor high-pitched coloratura sopranos) and "The Garden Wakes.” Air. Loon db Mauny played artistically B'elhovcn’s not very attractive "Romance in F.” ilrdlw’s “Souvenir." Hie always welcome. "TTajre Kali” (Hubay), which was encored, fori umil' 1y to produce the melodious "Sorcnntlc” of Drdin. The Harmonic. Quartet (Messrs. V. R. Bonnett, E. W. Robbins, A. Stark, ami C. AV. Svensnn) made a timorous approach to "By Cilia’s Arbour” (Horsley), and were really much better suited in the comic, numbers. “Tho Bnbv on flit- Spore” and "Fishing.” Air. Harold Whili'e aceompfiuicd with strength ami brilliance. Air. H. Temple White deserves credit for the general excellence of the performance.