PUPILS’ RECITAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 127, 29 April 1940, Page 9

PUPILS’ RECITAL

VOCAL AND PIANOFORTE. OUTSTANDJ NG PROGRAM ME. Something out of the usual i.n performances of the kind was enjoyed in tlie Litue Theatre, on Saturday night, when the advanced students of nr.ss Vera Moginie were presented in a vocal recital. In scope alone it was of more than ordinary interest, ior both balance anti ambition were prominent, while without exception the performers proved themselves conscientious. The outstanding impression was of studied expressiveness and thorough training, and the result reflected the highest credit both upon Miss Moginie and the singers themselves. While feminine voices predominated, the programme contained a pleasing selection of male offerings, which proved very popular. The inclusion of several pianoforte numbers ensured a. nicely rounded performance which should have Droved satisfying to all concerned. The iiopular but none the less exacting Dvorak composition, “Songs My Mother Taught Me,” presented as a mezzo-soprano solo by Miss June McKenzie, opened the recital. Though commencing the programme made Miss McKenzie somewhat nervous, there was evident a pleasingly sympathetic quality, linked with thoughtful treatment, promising well to stand her in good stead. -Misses J. Mitchell and K. Birnie presented an attractive setting of “Riebenstraum” as a duct, their voices blending niceiy to create a most harmonious rendering of a beautiful number; this was a combination which also displayed very good possibilities. The warm resonance of bis bass, coupled with a studied gradation of light and shade, won attention ior Mr S. Rowland in “Rolling Down to Rio.” His rich, if not exceptionally vigorous, voice, produced apparently with a minimum oi effort, was heard further in “Wandering the King’s Highway” as a recall, and the l’eter Dawson favourite lost nothing in Mr Rowland's happy treatment of it. It is to he hoped that opportunity will be given for more to be heard of him. Undoubtedly one of tiic most attractive features of the evening was, the appearance in a number of soprano songs of Airs N. C. Holland, L.T.C.L. Enjoying a voice of exquisite sweetness, remarkable flexibility, and uncommon colour, her numbers were thoroughly enjoyable. Perhaps the most outstanding was her initial offering—“ Roberto, O tu die Adoro” (Meyerbeer)—an aria calling for the utmost discernment and sympathy. Crystal clarity characterised the upper register, and always tlie notes held afine liquidity. In response to applause. Mrs Holland sang “Cradle Song” (Kreisler) most pleasingly. After t lie interval she was heard in a bracket of Michael Head's songs—“ Ships of Arcadv,” “Beloved,” “A Blackbird Singing” and “Nocturne’ - —conveying with the utmost case the innate delicacy of tlie theme.

A pleasing variation was provided in pianoforte solos by INI iss Shirley Craig, L.R.S.M., of Wellington. Tin’s gifted performer (tile bolder of a scholarship) proved her musicianship beyond doubt in an extremely fine rendering of Strauss’s “Soiree do Vienne” (Kotizer and ’Paraphrase). Perfect phrasing and a delicate touch aptly conveyed the charm of the piece, and Mi-s Craig responded to a recall with the more subdued “The Holy T?nv” (John Ireland) and the lively “Walter Wagtail” (Cyril Scott). Later in the evening she proved lier versatility by presenting two delightful [snv>ra>'o solos. “Morning and You” and “Cradle Song” (Brahms), in which her artistry was no loss complete. Miss Illoliv Xiiorburn chose a somewhat ambitious bracket with which to make her dehut in a number of soprano solos, but the Arabian song cicle of Spross—"Desert Love Song," "i Have Jiuug My Tent in Crimson,” “Fulfilment,” “.It Is the Sunset Hour” —proved by no means too diilicult for her very pleasing voice. Exceptionally wide in range, rich in body, and sympathetic to a degree, it captured the atmosphere oi the cycle, the singer’s attack being marked by well-founded confidence. Later the more exacting demands of the aria “Caro Nome” (Verdi) found Miss Tliorburn more than adequately prepared, and in response to approbation for a strikingly successful rendition she sang most pleasingly “Bird Songs at Eventide.” BOY SOPRANO'S SUCCESS. Normally boy sopranos are regarded somewhat with reserve; too often there is a thin insince: ty about their voices bordering oil the synthetic. This is not the case with Master Alan Welch, whoso bracket (“When Daisies Pied” and “Where the Bee Sucks”) concluded the first part of the programme. A well modulated voice, not without vigour and bearing tile marks of wise training, gave animation to a somewhat common bracket for such singers, and his appearance was deservedly popular. It will be interesting to watch this boy’s progress. j Dainty treatment was accorded two little numbers i\ non Miss Marjorie Rowland presented “The Dove” and “ ’Tis June” (Landon Ronald). A most intelligent interpretation was heard with a decidedly pleasing voice, with satisfying results. Popularity was evident concerning Mr J. Hansen’s tenor solos, “Silent Worship” and “Somewhere a Voice Ts Calling.” His voice is of quite ample strength, yet does not- overwhelm ilie delicacy of his treatment of the songs, so that the audience receives a confident and thoughtful 'rendering. It is to be hoped he will bo heard again soon. Miss M. Penketh is an experienced and very pleasing singer, and it was scarcely surprising that the approbation of her interpretation of’ “The Bird With the Broken "Wing” was such as to demand a recall. “The Piper from Over the Way” was a bright number sung in her accustomed happy manner. A unique and most successful offering was “Where’er You Walk,” presented as a, vocal trio by Messrs ])., R., and S. Rowland, their voices, blending to excellent effect. A f urther I number would have been very acceptable. The appreciation of the audience was frequently conveyed to the performers in iloral and other gifts, and it was most appropriate that at the conclusion numerous bouquets should be presented to Mrs B. F. Barlow, who, as accompanist®, shouldered a great deal of the responsibility, in her usual expert manner. In ensure the certain success of (lie recital.