CANTATA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 2502, 4 November 1922, Page 3

CANTATA.

THE HOLY CITY,

At All Saints’ Church on Thursday evening. next a combined choir of approximately 40 voices will render the Sacred Cantata composed by Mr Alfred R. Gaul, entitled the

“Holy City.” This cantata was composed for the Birmingham Musical Festival of 1882 and originally comprised' two movements which the writer'designated respectively “Contemplation” and “Adoration." Later, when a new edition was printed in 1001, (lie composer, feeling the need, added a prologue, which, because of “the singular beauty and appropriateness of rite words” lie hoped every future producer of the work would include in the performance. This prologue is an exhortation to set no store on this world or the. things of this world and concludes with the words “whoso is wise will ponder these things and' they shall understand the loving kindness of the Lord.”

Part 1 is a meditation on the promises concerning that City built without hands, the New Jerusalem whilst .part H tells of the realisation of these promises and contains some remarkably fine choruses expressive of adoration. Except for two hymns in part T and one chorus in part IT (a verse from Milton), the whole of the words are taken from Holy Scripture and these nobid and familiar phrases rising from a masterly creation of glorious and majestic harmony reach the ears with seeming fuller and deeper significance. It is seldon towns such as this have an opportunity of hearing a work of this description and those responsible accepted no light task when they essayed its production. With the help of some very fine vocalists from Levin and the special soloists from Palmerston N., the local society 7, have without doubt, succeeded beyond the expectations of the most optimistic. Those who are fortunate enough to secure seats in the Church on Thursday next will have every reason to eongi'uUilule themselves.