CHORAL CONCERT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20007, 4 August 1939, Page 5

CHORAL CONCERT

FIRST OF THE SEASON

SI T CCESSFUL FUXCT 1 OX

SOLOISTS WELL RECEIVED

Delivering the first concert of the season, in the Parish Hall last evening, the Gisborne Choral Society scored a decided .success, the programme being received with hearty appreciation by an attendance which fully taxed the .seating accommodation in the hall.

Under the conductorship of Mr. I. Birchnall, the choir rendered a lengthy programme of selections designed to display the all-round character of its studies, and the society was also fortunate in having the services of first-class soloists, whose contributions te the programme were verv successful.

Fairly strong in all sections, the choir appeared to be particularly well served in the soprano group, which carried its share in all the choral work with much credit. The response of the whole choir to Mr. Birchnall's conducting was the feature of the programme, so far as tlv society's members were concerned, and the standard of Iho singing fully deserved the compliments which were voiced on behalf of the audience. Offerings by the Choir “Men of Harlech” provided a good rousing opening for the programme, and this was followed by "Boat Song" (F. IT. Cowen), a delicatelybalanced choral offering in which careful preparation was well manifested. "Hymn to Music” (Dudley Buck), tested the quality of the choir in even greater degree, and was well performed despite minor weaknesses. “Calm is the Lake” (Franz Abt). “The Lost Chord” (Sullivan-Brewer), negro spirituals by Maurice Jacobson, and “On the Road to Mandalay" (Kipling), were equally .successful, the choir .giving an especially happy performance of the Kipling popular classic. Another most enjoyable effort was “Softly Fall Ihe Shades of Evening" <J. L. Hatton), which was chosen as the final number. Two lighter selections included in the choral programme were "Simple Simon” (Maccy Dicks), and "Spider and Fly” (ThcO Mosher). Both were difficult pieces, and the manner in which they were rendered reflected credit upon the society, though the audience received the impression that a smaller group of singers could have handled tbcs e numbers to better advantage. Fine Solo Contributions

Mrs. G. Rutherford, a coloratura soprano whose talent has long been recognised, was the chief soloist, and her contributions comprised Landon Ronald’s “Prelude,” and Verdi’s "Saper Vorreste,” in the first half; and Mozart’s “Alleluja,” in the second. with the delightful “Lass with a Delicate Air” as an encore number. In each of her songs, Mrs. Rutherford displayed t.o advantage the range and fine tone of her voice, and her offerings were warmly applauded. Mr. Alex Anscll, the male soloist, submitted “Fear Nothing," and “Tis the Day” during the first half ot the programme, ancl “Gypsy Love Song’ ’and “Dream of Paradise" in the second. The latter number was sung with a ’cello obbligato, and was equally successful with his other items.' Mr. IT. Macfarlane, cellist, contributed three solo item's and also provided the obbligato for Mr. Ansell’s last song, displaying an unusual mastery of his instrument. His programme selection? were “Lebaiser” (Goring Thomas), “Serenade'' (Hans Silt); and “Priere’\ (W. 11. Squire). The choir and soloists were fortunate in having the services of Mr E. R. Hambly as pianist and accompanist, his contribution to the sue cess of the programme being much more than nominal. Opportunity was taken by the president of the society, Mr. C. LMargoliouth, to thank the musicloving public for its patronage of tinconcert, and also the soloists for their assistance with the production. He referred gratefully to the services of the conductor, Mr. Birchnall, and the pianist, Mr. Hambly.