THE AEOLIANS

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 42, 13 November 1940, Page 10

THE AEOLIANS

Enjoyable Choral Singing

The Aeolians, a mixed choir, 50 strong, gave an enjoyable concert in the Concert Chamber of the Wellington Town Hail last evening in aid of the funds of the Makogai leper nursing sisters. The choral numbers, excellently chosen, ranged from Handel to Gustav Holst, and were marked by a spirit winch reflected joy in tile task, which covered certain little white sins of commission and omission. Mr. Maxwell Fernie believes in placing his choir on terms of the closest intimacy with the audience, and does so by bringing most of its members before the platform, with the pianoforte well back upon the stage. Thus the full tonal strength of all sections is conserved for the auditorium instead of half of it being lost in the ‘’flies.” This arrangement was particularly effective in the more robust choral numbers, such as “Land of Hope and Glory,” and ‘‘There’ll Always be an England.” both bravely sung, with Mr. Harry Matthews as baritomj soloist. But these numbers were by no means the pick of the programme. There was a blithesome spirit in the manner in which “'rhe .Dance” (Elgar) was sung, while the solemn chant of the chorus. “Look Down and Hearken” (from Handel’s opera, “Rinaldo”), was intoned with nice modulation. Of particular beauty is the music of Rutland Boughton’s opera, “The Immortal Hour,” from which the lovely “Faery” and "Green Fire” choruses were selected. In the first of these the ethereal quality of the number was slightly marred by the strength of the accompanying male voices. A chorus of singular charm iu a merry sense was Gustav Hoist’s "Cornish Wassail Song,” an ideal roundelay for Christmas time. The part song, "Down in Sally Gardens,” was also sung well. In the second half, the sopranos and contraltos sang the chorus, "My Love Dwelt in a Northern Land” (Elgar), and the full chorus sang the beautiful part songs. "It’s O to be a Wild Wind.” "Yea, Cast Me From the Heights of the Mountains,” and “As Torrents in Summer.” by the same composer. The final bracket consisted of old English songs with a fragranee all their own. "Tlte Lass With the Delicate Air,” "Where the Bee Sucks” (both by Dr. Arne), and "Diaphenia” (Stanford), one of the numbers set for the recent centennial music festival contest. The Aeolians were fortunate, too, in their soloists. Miss Molly Atkinson made a hit in "London Song,” a new number by Esther Rofe (lyrics from "Punch”), which reflects in the liveliest manner the pride and humour of London during the present time of stress. This is a number, which, sung as it was by Miss Atkinson. should be in eager demand. Miss Atkinson also sang iu good taste "Over the Mountains” (Quilter), “Seawrack” (Harty), and "The Feast of Lanterns.” Mr. Clement. Howe was the accompanist. Mr. J. Owen Bonifant, a light resonant tenor, sang with good expression, “Sea Gipsy” (Michael Head). ,“O Could I But Express in Song,” “Kathleen Mavourneen.” and. with the best effect, “Turn Ye To Me.” The gifted young pianists, Miss

Jocelyn Walker, whose playing is marked by vitality and character, contributed "Novelette” and "Polonaise” (Edward MacDowell), “Little White Donkey.” and "Tango” and “Sequidillas” of Albeniz. Miss "Walker also accompanied Mr. Bonifant. The Aeolians and Mr. Fernie deserve well of public for, in their niche, they are rendering a service to choral music in. Wellington.