"THE CRUCIFIXION."

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 10 April 1912, Page 3

" THE CRUCIFIXION."

, The Helensville Musical Society performed Sir J.ohri Stainer's sacred Cantata " The Crucifixion" in the Foresters' Hall on Wednesday evening last. The work is called by the composer, a meditation on the sacred passion of the Holy Redeemer. The words are selected and written by the Rev. J. Sparrow-Simpson, M.A., and as the title indicates, are lenten in character, so that the performance of the pantata last week was in keeping with the season. The music is very tuneful throughout, some of the melodies being exquisite, and in places the effect is enhanced by the introduction of intentionally harsh, discordant notes. Also, now and again in the work there are certain com-

fcmations of chords, unmistakably ,Staiiier'.s, which, may be noticed church services, jjkad other compositions. The can|^ta opens with an organ introduction to the tenor recitative depicting the visit to Gethsemane after the " Last Supper," and followed by the bass solo conveying reproof to the disciples for their inability to watch. Into the solo is worked two short pieces of chorus^ The tenor and bass soloists continue the narrative from Gethsemane to the Judgment Hall of Pilate and Caiaphao, and to the procession to Calvary. The first big chorus " Fling wide the gates " comes in at this point, and in the middle of it there is a very pretty piece of tenor solo. In the chorus itself there is rather much repetition, and the same may be said of the later chorus "The appeal to the Crucified," these two choruses being probably the weak points of the whole work. The first and most melodious of the several hymns in the cantata is i preceded and followed by a bass recitative. After that comes the tenor solo, followed by another bass recitative, leading into the well-known quartette and chorus , " God so loved," one of the gems of the work. After the tenor and bass duet, there are several short pieces of male voice chorus inter-, spersing the solos.- Then comes the second big chorus " From the throne of his Cross," followed by the tenor air " After this Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished " and the male voice phrases " I thirst" and "It is finished," the cantata ending with a final hymn.

The soloists of the performance were Messrs H. Drower, J. H. Harvey, and H. Stringer (tenors), and Messrs J. C. Rimmer and C. White (basses), the quartette being sung by Miss Donovan, Mrs Page, and Messrs Harvey and White. " The Crucifixion "is the largest work of the kind yet performed by the Musical Society, and it is satisfactory to know that there is sufficient talent in Helensville in the way of soloists and choruses of the necessary power and balance, to produce a work of this magnitude.