GLEE SINGERS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 46, 24 February 1930, Page 5

GLEE SINGERS

vME;' E.>RANSCOMBE'S%|RTY .An eloquent plea for the preservation of the Euglish, Scottish* and, Irish 'folk songs 'was made by. Mr. Edward Brauscoriibe in the course of the excellent programme with which his party' of Westminster Glee Singers opened their farewell series of performances at .the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Saturday night. Mr. Branscbmbe spoke ,of the necessity for inculcating, .""particularly in the young people,, a love for our riatidnal folk music, as a" counteracting influence against modern, tendencies, which are likely to have an adverse effect on musical culture and the music of the people, of which our folk songs are the .foundation.,. And bo the .Westminster Glee Singers on the present torn- are specialising in delightful and melodious folk tunes rearranged'; by the best composers. If any further justification were required for Mr. Branscombe's appeal, surely it lay in the rich programme of glees, carols, madrigals, shanties, part songs, and anthems which his small company gave .so - artistically and in generous measure to Saturday night's large audience. ~ The sincerity of the response should be encouraging to the singers. The party .comprises fourteen -male voices, including six boy sopranos. It is difficult to vary aii all-vocal programme, but this was cleverly done by judicious mixing of ensemble,' quartet, and solo numbers, aided by diversified platform groupings and lighting;. effects, while the accompaniments were in some cases vocal and in- others provided by piaiio, small organ,'or harp. An element of humour \vas not lacking, and a programme of two and a quarter hours went all too quickly. The performance was a memorable one, of a class which should provide enjoy-^ ment for listeners of all musical standards.

Perhaps the'1 most pleasurable items were those of the company as a body, the boys' rich sopranos and the men's fine voices blending admirably. Some of the many ensemble numbers were the Elizabethan part songs,.,"Since First I saw Your Face" (E*u-d),: and "When From My Home" Bartlett)," a. folk song, "The Farmer's Daughter," the well-known old English air,-* "The ■Girl-.I Left Behind Me," arranged by' Mr. Branscombe, "My Bonny Lass, She Smileth," Sullivan's beautiful anthem", "0 Love the Lord," and the carol, "I Saw Three Ships," and finally a group of English songs affording an interesting comparison between the folk music of the different countries.

All the soloists are well worth hearing. The principal soprano is Master Norman Clarke, who' has a voice of pure beauty. His numbers were the old air, "The Last Rose of Summer," with hammer accompaniment, and the refreshing song, "Early in tho Morning" (Montague Phillips). The six boys sang in unison an old English air arranged by Roger Quilter, "Love will Find Out the Way," and Lionel Monckton's "Pipes of Pan." ~ The boys' vowel sounds were a study in perfection, and every word was clearly audible. The New Zealand tenor, Mr. Ernest Miiinlay, received a rousing applause for his rendering of Alfred Hill's "Waiata Poi," two. other smaller Maori soiigs, and a negro melody, "My Little Banjo." Mr. Alfred Cunningham's finest selection was the prologue to "Pagliacei." He has a robust and flexible baritone voice, which he uses with dramatic force, and he was enthusiastically veealled twice. His other numbers were "Tally. Ho" (Leoni) and "The Pride of Tipperary." Mr. Charles O'Connor's tenor solos at the harp—"Lark in the Clear Air" and "The Fairy Song" from "The Immortal Hour"—were much appreciated, as also.were the bass songs of Mr. James Barber, "Old Clothes and Fine ClotUies,'' "Tho Blind Ploughman" (accompanied by piano and-organ), and "We A Hundred Pipers." The humorist of the party, Mr.

Albert... Greene, found ■immediate popularity with his sea shanties (with uhoi'tis), '.'The Banks of Sacramento," ','Bound for the Rio-Grande," "The Drumaier and the Cook/ "The Green Eyed Dragon," ami "The Tythe Pig." He has a line basso, and has a clever faculty for ndiliuy realism to his-songs by acting the part as he sings. The: unusual beauty of Mr. Donakl Reid's alto voice compelled admiration, his numbers' bfiitig "Off in the Stilly Night" and "I know of Two Bright Eyes." Other enjoyable items were a madricul. "The Roundelay." a lilting waltz, "Breezes of the Night." the Welsh air, "The Ash Grove/ and the humorous sonc, "'There are Women.'' by the gentlemen..

The Singers promise changes o£ programme every other night all this week, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday.