A UNIQUE VOICE

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 90, 13 October 1932, Page 9

A UNIQUE VOICE

LEX MACDONALD

V The large audience at the Lex JMacdonald concert ia the main Town Hall last evening soon understood—and joined jn-xthe sensation created by the Dunedin boy's njiarvellous soprano. The voice filled the Town Hall in a -way that few others lave ever filled that space, and •with a purity and flexibility and sweetness quite unique. As there were moments when the boy's voice was heard entirely by itself, ■unsupported either vocally or instrumentally, there was ample opportunity to observe this sweetness combined with, carrying power; arid it is not too much praise to say that through a vocal medium of such unusual tonaj purity, and range wellknown music can take a deeper meaning. i 0 for the wings of a dove, Par away would Ijrove! is something deeper,^ through such a voice, than through an ordinary voice. What has become hitherto a rather well-worn sentimental flight becomes both flight and religion—the beating of the physical wings and also the stealing away of the spirit to the restful wilderness. An important point, too, is that this is a voice that must appeal to all, not merely to the musically educated. In this solo and chorus, "Hear My Prayer" (Mendelssohn) Lex Macdohald had the support of the choir of the Wellington Harmonic Society (conductor Mr H. Temple White) and of Mr. Clement Howe, at the organ. The lad's boyish attire, m shorts and socks, .emphasised by force of contrast the power and beauty of his voice in the Mendelssohn music; it was wonderful wisdom issuing from so modest a book. The audience's appreciation was acknowledged by bow, but a bow would not suffice after his next effort, "Blackbird's Song" (Cyril Scott), and he came back and sang "The Cuckoo" (Lehjnann). In the songs he realised at once a high degree of popular success, rising to a real tumult when his third number, "A Brown Bird Singing" (Haydn Wood), tang its winning way through the hall, to he followed on recall by "The Lass with a Delicate Air" and "Hark, . Hark, the Lark." Following this a flashlight photograph was 'taken of stage (occupied by choir'and principals) and.,.audience/to commemorate a notable evening. All this would not have been possible Without the aid of the choir, its able conductor, Mr. H. Temple' /White, and Mr. Ernest Jenner, whose supporting efforts ■were of high merit. Mr. Jenner played the "Polonaise in A Flat" (Chopin) and, on recall, the "Valse Impromptu" (Dohnanyi). Later in the programme he played three dances, Spanish, French, and Russian—(a) "Zortzico" (a Castanet rlmce, by Albeniz); (b) '-'Chanson de l'escarpolette" (valse, by Grovlez); (c) Mazurka Eusse (Glinka). Miss Myra Sawyer and Mr. Wm. Boardman were encored for their singing of "Give Me Thy Hand, Oh Faire^t/f from Mozart's "Don Giovanni." A group of eight—four ladies and four gentlemen—sang, "Now is the Month of Maying" (Thomas Morley) and were also recalled. Messrs. V. E. Bennett, C. W. Howe, A. Stark, and C. W. Svensen were heard in "0 Peaceful Night" (Edward German) and on recall gave a humorous quartet. The choir won great applause for its collective offerings, which wure as follows: —Part songs: "Vagabonds" (Eaton Faning), "Celtic Hymn" (arr. Roberton), "0 Happy Eyes" (Elgar), negro dirge "Massa's in the Cold Ground" (arr. Koberton). A very enjoyable performance concluded with "The Heavens are Telling," the chorus and trio from "The Creation," with Mr. Ernest Jenner at the ptano, and Mr. Clement Howe at the organ; the trio was taken by Miss Leonie Wniteford and Messrs. Arthur Coe and Robert E. Orr.

A jumble sale will be held in St. Giles' (Presbyterian) Church Hall, Kilbirnie crescent, to-morrow at 7 p.m. There will be a large assortment of good, clean goods for bargain hunters.