HARMONIC SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 139, 9 December 1929, Page 5

HARMONIC SOCIETY

DELIGHTFUL PROGRAMME

Mr. H. Temple White and the members of the "Wellington Harmonic Society demonstrated to a large audience in the Concert Chamber on Saturday night that the combination deserves its high place in the appreciation and esteem of the city's music lovers. The programme was a. delightful one of part songs, choral work, ami solos— and some really -fine effects were scoured, as witness the whispering impression given to Moellendorff's "Night Whispers," a number bracketed with yet another impressionistic part song, "Nightfall in Skye" (Roberton), in which no words are sung. The opening item, "The Vagabonds" (Eaton Faning) was sung with v proper appreciation of the theme, a carefree style being infused into the interpretation. Elgar's "Love" was romantically sung. Markham Lee's "Tender Siaep Enfold Thee" must have pleased the composer, who is at present visiting New Zealand (in connection with Associated Board examinations), so intelligently was the lullaby sung. "A Morning Madrigal" (Percy Fletcher) was also capitally done, and the same may be said of Orlando Gibbons's "Silver Swan" madrigal. The soloist, Mr. R. R. Orr, in the folk song, "The Turtle Dove" (arranged ,by Vaughan Williams) was lyrical, as is required by the composition. The ladies acquitted themselves creditably in the pavt-sonz, "Oh, Where, Tell Me Where," based" on the "Blue Bells of Scotland" arranged by Roberton). The part song by the whole society, "The Death of Morar," full of the tragedy o£ the Highlands, was done in a style that reflected the greatest possible credit on the singers and conductor J-he lament was full throated and sincere. Mendelssohn's chorus "Promised Joys" troui Athalie" was a fitting finale to an enjoyable concert. The theme was expressed by Misses P. Liddell, and E. W. Campbell, and Mrs. T. A. Coventry. The Harmonic Quartet was satisfying in Bav-non-s 'Come, Gentle Night," and even more so in the comic offerings, "I Saw lisau and "The Egg." Mr. J. M. Laldwell, a bass-baritone, revealed fine vocal equipment in a series of songs, including Henschel's "Young Diedrich," ior which he was recalled, then singing Kennedy Eraser's novel, "Peat Fir! X'lame. beqtch in sentiment and interpretation were Moffat's "Border Ballad" and Ivirkeonnel Lea," to which was added Arne s tuneful "Care Flies From the Lad Who is Merry." Mr. Caldwell's singing was very popular, and his reception was well deserved. Then there were the artistic cello solos of Mr. Claude Tanner who needed no introduction, and who was encored for his playing of Matheson's haunting "Air," and the Granados "Andaluza, with its suggestion of sunny Spain. The "Berceuse Slav," of Mlynarski, a quaint number, was well played. I;am-e s dainty "Berceuse," Popper's tricky Spinning Wheel," and charming "Menon were other 'cello solos, beautifully Played Mr. Clement Howe was a most sympathetic accompanist. The concert signalised the close of the society's 1929 season, a season that has been keenly enjoyed by supporters of harmonic singing, and which augurs well for continued success by the society.