THE CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Evening Star, Issue 3911, 6 September 1875, Page 2

THE CHORAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

On Saturday evening the Dunedin Choral Society, as the first concert of their musical year, gave Mendelssohn’s Oratorio, “St. Paul.’’ Although many of the gems of this splendid composition are well known, because frequently sung, wc believe that tins is the first time it has been presented as a whole in Dunedin. There were many reasons for this. Jn our opinion this oratorio is not surpassed in beauty, if even it is equalled, by that of any other sacred composition. It abounds in melodics, recitatives, and choruses, expressive of a variety of emotion : sometimes breathing sorrow and disappointment, sometimes hope, sometimes triumph, sometimes rage and malevolence ; and its these sentiments ape set forth in wi ml and uncommon harmonies, sol Ists of a superior order end well-skilled chorus singers aw necessary to develop its beauties. No infant, society, unless made up of cultivated musicians, could venture upon such »■ test of their capability ; and wc therefore reC!*rd tin' coin.ort nt t-Jiitunlay night as an evidence ol the made ny the Dunedin Choral Society in knowledge n! classical music and ability’ to ivnder it. The purpose of tho oratorio is to tire ,i, sketch ot the eventful career of tho Apostle of the <1 entiles from the time when lie is first introduced in notice in tho Vets of the Apostles to the dose of his missionary labors through, being sent to Dome a prisoner. _ \ short prelimm.aiy description of the sulihring (finndi forms a tit,ting introduction to the story of the stirring life of tho Apostle, and s res to indicate his feelings towards LhriKl.ia.iuty at the time of Stephen’s martyrdom, after which follow the account of Paul’s conversion, ami culling.* from the startling scries of events that resulted from his subsequent ministry. Tins oratorio, at once difficult in its rendering and beautiful in its effects, was on the whole, and cod sidel ing the strength of the society, very well rendered on Saturday evening. The most noticeable defect was the want of power. The band was weak, and the insufficiency of the chorus was very apparent, especially in the latter part of “Rise up, arise !” and “ This is Jehovah’s Temple,” In the band, Mr Little led with his usual ability and care, but having no support as first violin found himself over worked. Mr Schott rendered very valuable assistance with his favorite instrument, the obeo. The effect of his accompaniment in the aria “ Oh God ! have mercy upon me ” was very fine, and added greatly to the admirable rendering of that magnificent solo, which was well sung by Mr Newberry. The double bass of Mr West was also often heard with fine effect, as was Mr Meats'’s clarionet. We congratulate the society on the addition of Miss Mollisou to the number of soprano soloists. This young lady when she gets over the nervousness incident to first appearances, will be a valuable acquisition to the society. She had allotted to her on Saturday that exquisitely beautiful aiia “Jerusalem! Jerusalem!” which she sang with great taste and an evident appreciation alike of the sentiment and the music. .Notwitstanding that it is considered bad taste to applaud sacred music, Miss Mollisou’s first effort received the hearty acknowledgement of the audience, which it richly deserved. We were also pleased to see the old established favorite Mias Webb amongst the soloists on Saturday. The recitative, “>o they being filled with the Holy Ghost,” and the aria, “ I will sing of thy great mercies,” wore very nicely sung by that > lady. The recitative, “And he journeyed with companions,” and tho arioso, “ But the Lord is mindful of His own,” weie committed to the rendering of Miss Jago, and formed one of the marked features of the performance. Miss Marshall had the heavy part of the soprano work to do, and did it well, all the solo parts, principally recitatives, not already mentioned, falling to her. The tenor solos were alloted to Messrs Thomson and Marsden, and he bass to Messrs Newberry and Lewis. Mr Thomson sang with energy and taste, and a nice appreciation ol the meaning of tho composer, but he was rather overweighted, one or two of tiic solos going just above his effective register. Mr Marsden sang very well, particularly in the duet with Mr Newberry, “fi or so hath the Lord himself commanded.” ! hi- was one of the gems of tho concert. Messrs Newberry and Lewis both sang well. The rendering of the solo already mentioned, “Oh! God, have mercy upon me,” by Mr Newberry, was remarkably line, particularly in the passage “Lord, a broken and a contrite heart is offered before Thee.” Of tho choruses, the finest, and in our opinion tho best sung, was tin. last in the first part, “Oh ! great is the depth.” 1 lie chorales, particularly tire fiist two, wore not so well sung as they might have been : (here was a. want of steadiness about them, the basses especially being out of time. It would be well that the members should a et thci use! ves so well up both in words and music as to lie able when t hey come before, the public to pay much more attention to the baton of the conductor than to their music books. They would thm sing much better together than they do when their attention is so much absorbed in effort s to follow the music, that they can give little if any heed to the silent but most important indications of the will of the conductor. On the whole, however, as we have already said, the performance of Sat urday evening was very creditable to all parties engaged, and says much for the perseverance and industry of the members generally, as well a.s for the good taste, sound judgment, and good management of the conductor, Mr Towscy. Miss Tewsley presided with her wonted ability at the pianoforte,