ROYAL MALE CHOIR

Evening Star, Issue 22456, 29 September 1936, Page 11

ROYAL MALE CHOIR

SECOND CONCERT DF SEASON A PERFORMANCE OF MERIT The Rpyal Dunedin Male Choir presented a programme of remarkable di versity at its second concert of the sea son last night, the big crowd that com rortably filled the Town Hall despite uninviting weather conditions hearing some delightful singing. The balance of the ohoir made an immediate impression in its introductory offering, an arrangement of Richard Wagner’s ‘ Roman Wai Song.’ A dearth of tenors is a constant source of worry to many societies, but in that direction the choir is, happily, almost at full strength. It gave a completely satisfying performance of this robust part song, the bold, challenging line being expressed with full-blooded vigour by all sections. Then came another part song, the rollicking, care-free ‘ Down Among the Dead Men ’ (Ivor R. Davies). This firm favourite was accorded a decidedly shaky opening, but the choir soon caught its lively mood and proceeded to give a vigorous and entirely satisfying rendering. Kennedy Finlay’s charming arrangement of the delicate Welsh air, ‘ All Through the Night,’ is a work that allows full play for a demonstration of the finer points of pianissimo singing. Dr Galway produced an exquisite exposition from his singers, the serenity of the haunting air being conveyed with high artistry. This was one of the major successes of-the evening. ‘ Ho, ro! My Nutbrown Maiden ’ (Kenneth G. Finlay) was a contrasting work, bubbling over with high spirits. It is one of those very old Highland melodies that fully merits the frequent performances it receives. Vaughan Williams has effected a very interesting arrangement of the traditional ‘Loch Lomond.’ Fine shades of vocal expression were represented in this part song, in which tho soloist was Mr John Pringle. The diction was charming here, and, as throughout tho concert, the tenors responsible for some delightful singing. The humming accompaniments were sensitively controlled, the whole performance more than meriting its partial repetition. The choir next turned to a hymn, ‘ The Son of God Goes Forth to War,’ more familiarly recognised as a version of the 100th Psalm. Tho intonation was rather shaky and the background was blurred somewhat through the rather too vigorous organ accompaniment of Dr Galway, for whom Mr J. A. Haggitt deputised as conductor during its rendition. The most exacting work of the concert was ‘ Fallen Heroes,’ a part song by Jenkins that relates the annihilation of a Spartan king and his army through the treachery of one of his soldiers. Tho soloist was Mr Rowland Dunbar, who collaborated with tho choir in a vital interpretation of a song notable for its difficult technicalities and finely-shaded ideas. The opening passages of exhortation were highly imaginative, but it was during the vividly-described climax to a fateful engagement that tho choir was heard at its best. A searching excursion into the peculiarly individual music 'of negro spirituals was successfully essayed, a group consisting of ‘ Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,’ ‘ Gwine to Ride Up the Chariot,’ and ‘ Deep River ’ being the next concerted offering. The graceful beauty of tin first was lovely indeed, the restrained melody being sung with intelligent nuance. Mr .. G. Fleming made an admirable sqlost in the second, which was given with rare tonal shading. Mr John Kennedy was associated with the choir in the last number, the haunting melody of which was a delight. The diminuendo in the climax was a delight to hear. Tho concert concluded with the part song ‘ Roll the Old Chariot Along ’ (Stuart Young), a vigorous affair that was sung with unrestrained verve. After a too lengthy absence from the concert platform, it was a distinctly refreshing experience to hear Miss Mary Pratt, who sang with all her customary artistry and received an ovation from the crowd. As a Handeliart interpreter, Miss Pratt is without peer, her ‘ How Changed the Vision ’ and ‘ Where’er You Walk ’ being sheer vocal treats. She also sang exquisitely Grieg’s ‘ I Love TheCj’ ‘ None But an Aching Heart ’ (Tschaikowsky), and ‘Beloved,’ by Michael Head, who is at present in New Zealand. Mr John Kennedy’s tenor voice was pleasantly heard in ‘ All Hail, Thou Dwelling Pure and Holy,’ from Gounod’s ‘ Faust,’ which _ was invested with charm and dignity. Miss Eva Judd is a violinist of polished technical accomplishments. She played a highly descriptive fragment, ‘ The Little Windmills ’ (Couperin), the Hen-berger-Kreisler ‘ Midnight Bells,’ and Debussy’s ‘ La Plus que Lente.’ . Each ■soloist was encored The accompanist was Mr Colin Oliver, who emerged from an arduous evening with distinction.