MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1069, 30 November 1877, Page 3

MUSICAL FESTIVAL.

A musical festival was given at the Wesleyan Church, Durham street, last evening, by the choir of the Church, strengthened by a number of our best musical amateurs. The band also comprised a most efficient array of instrumentalists, and generally the festival took place under very favorable auspices. The programme included two works - the first being Mendelssohn’s “ Lauda Sion,” and the other Handel’s “ Dettingen Te Deum.” The fomer is new here, this being the first time of its performance. The latter has been so often given as scarcely to require comment. Of the “ Lauda Sion” it may be said that it is written in Mendelssohn’s purest style, and though somewhat deficient in the number of solos, the concerted numbers are of much beauty. It comprises eight numbers, of which there is but one solo proper, and one leading up to and forming part of a chorus. Prior to the commencement of the festival the Bey. W. Morley opened the proceedings with prayer. He then made an apology for Messrs Merton and Bowley who were suffering from very severe colds, but who had in order to prevent a derangement of the festival consented to sing. The introduction was fairly taken by the band, and the opening chorus went fairly. There was a little hesitancy in taking up the changes of movement, hut as a whole the chorus was well rendered. In the second one the tenor parts were somewhat weak, which was more especially noticeable in the andante movement at the close. The lady taking the solo “Sing of Judgment” acquitted herself very creditably, though the music was in parts somewhat high for her. The quartette which followed did not go nicely. The voices were not well balanced, the tenor being weak and at times hardly in tune. The soprano and contralto parts were, however, sung with taste and effect, but the want of balance marred the general rendering. The next number, the chorus “ They that in much tribulation,” was taken very nicely indeed, the voices blending well and in good time. The lady to whom the solo “ Lord, at all times,” was allotted has a nice fresh soprano voice, but scarcely powerful enough for so large a building. The solo was, however, sung very well indeed. The concluding quartette and chorus went fairly, hut the quartette suffered from the same defect we have previously referred to. The chorus was one of the best rendered in the work, the concluding phrasing on the word “Amen” being given with good effect. The bass solo, “A man can receive nothing,” was fairly rendered, but it was somewhat beyond the power of the gentleman who essayed it. A festal march in C major was played by the band. It is fairly written, but the theme is somewhat meagre in extent, and is elaborated rather much. The gem of the festival was “If with all your hearts,” which was beautifully sung by a gentleman whose voice we should like to hear oftencr. It was rendered with much taste and expression, and Mr Searell deserves very _ great credit for his artistic organ accompaniment, which was a treat in itself.

Of the “Dettingen TeDeum” little need be said. It is so well known here that to enlarge upon it would be “ as ’twere to tell a twice told tale.” The solo parts were taken by the Misses Eowley and Messrs Rowley and Merton, in whose hands also were the quartettes. They were very ably supported by the chorus and instrumentalists, who worked well throughout the evening. Mr J. T. M. Smith acted as conductor, Mr E. T. Searell presiding at the organ with his accustomed ability. Taken as a whole, the festival was a success, and we hope that we shall have the pleasure of hearing the same ladies and gentlemen at Christmas in one or other of the well-known oratorios which are so familiar to all as not to require lengthened practice.