DON COSSACK CHOIR

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 184, 21 August 1937, Page 13

DON COSSACK CHOIR

SOXTL.STIEKING SINGING. The spirit of' Russia — dignity — grande.ur — simplicity and sincerity is materialised in the wonderful ehoral singing of Generul Platoff's i'amous Don Cossack Choir, which is to appear at* Hastings on Friday night next at the Municipal Theatre. Choral work has been the basis of music of evory nation, and in no country has it been more eioquently rculisei than in Russia. From the time of the fifteenMi eontury, the Court of Moscow had iis church choir 'eomposed ,,of the greatest male voiees of that time. When ' tho Impcrial choirs were no longcr in existence, the Cossaeks from tho Impcrial Don region became famous for the beauty of their voiees. In General Plato.fi* 's magnifieent organisation of singers, who have created sensational interest in" all the big cities of tlie-, world, vivid tono pictures of Russia 's early national life and characteristics are eonjured up by their interpretation and their innate dramatie sense in translating themes that are thoug'htf ul, simple and sincere. Early folk-lore and traditional songs of the ages — travers-

ing periods of turmoil, joy and pros- . perity — are vQcalised with impressive effect, holding audienees spell-bound with the poetic notes and the unique entertainment of the Don Cossaeks, and it is significantly allicd to the music. Tho conductor, Nicliolas Kostrukoff, provides inspirational guidanee, and he is said to obtain remarkable eff*ects in -tone colour from the world famous choir. It is said that ihe Don Cossack Choir never fails to arouse their audienees to almost hysterical enthusiasm, and record audienees enjoyed their singing throughout America and South Afriea. The box plan will be opened at Fail's on Wednesday morning next at nine o 'clock.