THE HOSPITAL CONCERT.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2525, 12 May 1882, Page 3

THE HOSPITAL CONCERT.

The Dunedin Private Motett and Giee Society, who are at present on a visit to Christchurch, with great liberality tendered their services for a concert in aid of the Hospital Benevolent B'und, which took plaoe last evening in the Oddfellows' Hall. The concert was a very enjoyable one throughout, the voices blending in the motetts, part songs, glees, &c, very nioely. The society were also heard to far greater advantage in the Hall than in the Exhibition building, the softer passages and the finer points in their rendering of the concerted music being brought oat fully. The object for whioh the concert was given precludes critioiim, though it is only fair to say that were it otherwise the society would deserve exceedingly high commendation for the admirable manner in which they render the music. They deserve particular credit for the observance of light and shade in the various compositions, a point not often noticeable in amateur organisations. The opening number was Mendelssohn's motett " Judge me O G-od, " whioh went well, the various parts being well given. After a violin solo by Mr J. Coombs, De Beriot's "Air Varie," Mr Barth played two numbers as piano solos. The first of these was Mendelssohn's "Lied ohne wort," No.

18. Mr Barth, though the tone of the piano on which he performed was not of the best, interpreted the composition with an artistio perception of the idea of the composer. He has great power of exeoution, combined with criapness of touch, and the number was very well played indeed. In the next one, Weber's " Moto continuo," he had an opportunity of displaying his powers as a pianist, of which he took full advantage. It was brilliantly played, elioiting an enthusiastic encore, to which Mr Barth responded with a composition of bis own. The first part closed with Gounod's motett " Come near to the cross," which was very artistically sung by the society. The second part opened with Kuokon'a quaint but very charming part song "Come, Dorothy, come," which was enoored, and the demand responded to with Barnby's well-known " Sweet and low," prettily given. Brahm's arrangement of Hungarian dances as a piano duet was excellently played by Messrs Kelsey and Barth, and this was followed by Leslie's " Lullaby " by the vocal portion of the society. Mr J. Clayton played Brepsant's fantasia for the clarionet well, and then came Maofarren's part song "You stole my love," the humorous character of which was exoellently interpreted, the parts blending in well together. The basses in this, aa in the other part songs, deserve credit for the way in which they sang their music It was enoored, and in response " Who will o'er the Downs so free " was given very well indeed. The quintette from " Tho Soroarer," whioh followed, went well, the oontralto and baritone solos especially being well sung. Benedict's "Hunting Song" concluded the programme, and then the National Anthem was given, concluding a very exoellent ooncert. Mr A. R. Kelsey conducted, and Mr Barth rendered signal service in the motetts at the American organ. The sooiety certainly deserve the best thanks of the residents in Christohurch, not only for having afforded them a very pleasant musical evening, but also for their kindly liberality in according their servioes for the benefit of so deserving an object as the benevolent fund of the Hospital.