MUSICAL NOTES.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 121, 20 October 1874, Page 2

MUSICAL NOTES.

The concert given by the members of Mr J. T. M. Smith’s singing class and the members of the German Glee Club on Thursday night was, despite the discouraging effects of the weather, fairly a success, musically speaking. The principal portion was Lahee’s cantata, “ The Building of the Ship,” a nice bright composition, containing some excellent music, and one well within the scope of amateurs to render well. There are not a large number of solos, the principal portion of the cantata consisting of choruses, the solos being recitatives leading up to the choruses. Throughout the work was fairly rendered, though in some of the recitatives there was a tendency to drag the time. In the choruses the voices blended well, the only fault being that one of the soprano voices was too prominent. The heavier portion of the voices were well under command, and indeed I think the gem of the cantata was the chorale for male voices. I am glad to see these cantatas getting more into fashion here ; they arc •well within our resources, and much as I, in common with other lovers of the divine art, ■would like to hear the works of the great masters, the difficulty in getting soloists to render them, as evidenced by the rendering of ‘•Samson” recently by the Harmonic Society, seems to me to point to the advisability of our societies taking up these cantatas in preference to the heavier works. Ido not mean by this to discard the works of the old masters, but to put the lighter works in rehearsal in between as it were, giving them as intermediate concerts, and bringing out such works as “Samson,” “The Messiah,” &c, say once a year, or at most twice, so as to allow of a thorough and complete rehearsal of the work. The miscellaneous part of the concert was well selected, and I must say a word of praise as regards the performance of the German Glee Club. It is well known that music is early implanted in the minds of young Germany, indeed I suppose that no nation in the world could compete with her in part singing, hence 1 was prepared to hear good time and tune, but I must confess that I was astonished at the depth and richness of the bass voices. The two pieces selected were Mendelssohn’s part song “ The Chapel,” and a vocal march, ‘ ‘ The Singers’ March. ” Both the part songs, more particularly the latter, were capitally sung, and the whole reflected very great credit alike on the singers and Mr F. Webers their director, who has only just, I believe, assumed command. The only fault I have to find was that the tenor voices were not strong enough ; when they took up the lead the basses overpowered them. With two or three more tenors the German Glee Club will take high rank amongst our musical amateurs. Mrs Long sang the music allotted to her in the cantata as she generally does, with care and taste. In the miscellaneous portion, her rendering of a very pretty song, “ The Gypsey’s Warning,” was also very good. A young lady new to Christchurch audiences—Miss Kissell—made a very successful dehut in “ When the swallows.” Her voice is singularly pure and of good compass, only requiring cultivation to render her a very valuable addition to the ranks of our lady soloists. The repetition of the concert last night was, I am glad to say, a success, both musically and financially, and I hope soon again to hear our friends of the German Glee Club, and that they will give us more of their excellent part songs. On Thursday next the Misses Taylor give a concert of miscellaneous music, for which a capital programme has been issued, comprising vocal and instrumental items. The vocal portion includes Rossini’s “Di tanti palpiti ” and Bishop’s “ Lo here the gentle lark,” by Miss A. S. Taylor, songs by Mrs Digby, Mr Price, and Mr Knox, and several part songs. In addition there will be concertina solos and duets, which are too well known in musical circles to need comment from me. With a programme like this I can only bespeak a good audience.

Madame Goddard has not arrived by the Otago, but her luggage has, so that ye may hope to have the pleasure of hearing tins great artiste at an early date, an event which, so far as music in Canterbury is concerned, will be one to be remembered. _ The Orchestral Society announce their third concert for the sth November, at the Oddfellows’ hall. The pieces de resistance of the programme, so far as instrumental music goes, will be Haydn’s symphony in D (Salaman’s set), comprising six movements, and Schuberts “ Zwei Leider,” two movements, including the serenade. The overturesJarelMehul’s “Joseph,” Mendelssohn’s “Melusine,” and Cherubini’s “Faniska.” The other portions of the programme comprise part songs and solos. It has been so often said that this society has made instrumental music in Canterbury what it is, that I am almost ashamed to repeat the trite saying, but nevertheless it is true. It has done wonders ; as everyone will admit who contrasts the instrumentation at concerts now and a few years back. Seeing this, I hope that the society will be largely patronised by subscribers, not only musical people but all those who take an interest in music as a refining and elevating art. I hear that Miss Eosina Carandini intends giving a series of three concerts in the Oddfellows’ Hall during the Kace week. It needs no recommendation from me I am sure to ensure a large and fashionable attendance. As a pianist, Miss Carandini is unrivalled by any lady we have yet heard, and from the programme which has been prepared, I look forward to a great musical treat. We are on the eve of another English opera season, and I am glad to note that since their last visit the company have added very considerably to their repertoire. In addition to what they gave us last time, we are promised “Faust,” “Martha,” “ Cinderella,” and “Trovatore.” I hope to have to record a successful season. CROTCHET.