ENGLISH CHOIRS’ SUCCESS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1923, Page 1

ENGLISH CHOIRS’ SUCCESS

WELSHMEN BEATEN AT EISTEDDFOD.

AIOLD (Flintshire) • Aug. I

1 be competition for men's choirs Llii? afternoon Mas the last oi the leading musical events of the Royal National Eisteddfod. Seven large choirs took part. Two came from London—the London Welsh and the Welsh Guards choirs, the kilter's scarlet and gold giving the scene a grateful gleam of pageantry. There were two or three English choirs, so that there ivere most oi the elements of an exciting competition. I lifortunately the well-known difficulty of finding interesting test piece? for men's choirs had been too much fov tbc- Alold committee, and the music that was sung over and over again put a damper on the spirits of those who thought the Eisteddfod was becoming definitely more musical. Granville Bantock’s part-song “i\uhla Khan" cannot be called a good example of his writing. It is difficult enough to sing, but fails to make a characteristic musical impression. As tor I’rotlieroe’s ‘‘Nidaros," it must be called one of the least distinguished pieces of the Meek, and tu hear it eight times over was an infliction. The work is of a Meek, superannuated typo M liieh the Eisteddfod ought to discourage.

Happily the festival has in other directions been really musical. Ko far from being wearied with the repetitions at the chief competition for mixed choirs one was disappointed at so small an extract of Bach’s motet being

sung. And Alold lias helped to make musical history in AYales by The performance ol the “St Alatthew Passion" of Bach night. It would he a great thing for AYales if the “St Alatthcn- Passion” Mere an established feature each year at tbe Eisteddfod. The men’s choirs M’cre listened to for nearly four hours by an audience of more than HLOOB. The London Welsh opened the ball, and tbe last choir was the AYolsli Guards, nTio had a rousing u'elcome. The bravery of colour raised our spirits again alter that long spell of mediocre music. AYlien the adjudicators camo up to criticise they ail hinted at some disappointment am! upbraided iho singer? for uninteresting or inadequate interpretation. But really there was liiib- to interpret. Considering wlmt ihev had to do the singers were wonderfully tine. London. AVelsh, and Alanehcster Orpheus gave agreeable, sensible performances. The Guardsmen n‘ere eapi tally vigorous in Protlieroe’s piece, but were rather baffled by the difficulties o‘ Bnntork. After all this competition the "A’ocal Derby" as it is called Mas lost to AYales. The extraordinary high pereenage of 96.1 marks Mas achieved by the Hadley. Shropshire, Orpheus Choir, who Mere making their first appearance at the Eisteddfod. They M'ere the ninlieis hist autumn at Blackpool, principal of all competitive festivals. Cros.-ley Motors Choir, AlancUester. Mas second and Alanolic-Ler Orphans third. Welsh Guards were sixth. They Mould have been first if marks had iii.cn given for cheerful appearance.