THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1112, 11 November 1879, Page 2

THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

We find' it very difficult' to understand the indifference displayed by the public generally . when such works as Haydn's " Creation" are performed by our really good local - Spciety, assisted by the band belonging to it. The Committee, desirous of reunions 'popular, :re-' duced the prices of admission to a minimum, and we cannot but regret that the response was not' more satisfactory, the" hall being only about .two-thirds full. Those who were present, however, did not "seem to repent their attendance, and warmly applauded many of the ; solos and choruses. Before noticing the various pieces, we are. .constrained to remark that sortie of' the soloists hadevidently devoted' insufficient time to practice, and we. things, want of application in those who fill th.Q higher positions is above all faitlts to he deprecated. j Illhealth or weakness may be readilyj excused,.but,, not carelessness,.; and when a number of solos or recitatives ■ are allotted to one ' singer, it is ; not enough that some of them- be (well, studied,' but an ■ intimate knowledge of every phrase should be attained. The representation of Chaos, which stands in place of the'usual overture, was omitted, and the recitative i * In the beginning" commenced, forming the introduction to .tie' chorus " And, the. spirit >of Grod," taken steadily, though hardly .pianissimo enough. "And (Joel saw the light" (recit,) and Now;-vanish " (solo, and chorus) immediately followed. The air, though in part nicely' sung, was not heard to advantage, because the singer did not stand sufficiently forward. The chorus'was effectively given. "And God made the firmarnen't;?'(recit.), with its descriptive accompaniment, was capitally declaimed. This preluded. " The marv'lous work " solo and chorus. ' In this the, C in alt of the leading voice rang 'out clear and true above tlie mass of voices and band.. " And God said " (recit.) and " Rolling in foaming billows " were then taken by a well-known basso, who sang the very difficult solo in excellent time. In this part, however,, we missed the descriptive second violin music. The andante was His beat effort, and some parts of this were very - pleasing, "And God said" (recit.) and "With verdure clad "were allotted to a lady favorably known: as a musician. Her rendering showed that great care had been taken to reach a high standard of execution. "Awake the harp," a magnificent chorus, followed. The parts in this went with that elan only, heard when music is spirited and performers sympathetic;' " The Heavens are telling," preceded by two recitatives one of them fairly delivered—■was the next number, and agaiii the performers identified themselves with tho music, finishing the piece with immense fire. " On mighty pens," a soprano splo, demanding extraordinary compass and execution) was then given' by the lady who sang it here on a previous occasion, and, as before, she succeeded most' admirably, , -'And God created great whales" (a recitative, excellently declaimed) ushered in the "terzetto "Most beautiful appear" (a pretty idea elegantly wrought out 'and taken with care).' This was followed, without pause, by (< The Lord is great"-, (trio 1 and chorus), which was well sustained throughout, the treble solo being particularly go<>d. "'lie second part opened with "'And God-.said" and " Straight opening .her fertile v.-o,nib " (recit), and the bass air " Now,. Heaven in. fullest glory shone," sung by a gentleman with a fine voice. These went very fairly, and introduced "In : native worth," which was. taken correctly and expressively, and, was certainly the best tenor solo of tlie evening. The two "Achieveds " could hardly have L r one better or with more spirit. The trio "Qu Thee each living, soul awaits," coming between J' was rendered steadily and evenly, "By ' Thee with bliss" (duet and. ' chorus), most tastefully sung, came next-,. and the concert was concluded with "Of stars', the. fairest," duet and chorus. This number is highly imaginative arid descriptive. The lady to;whom fell the leading soprano part has a full, mellow voice, and she had clearly taken pains to. learn it ; the bass was also admirable." ! The finish, " Hail bounteous Lord," wound up with vigor. Through-, out the evening the members of the chorus evidenced study and careful practice of their work, and the band, led by Mr. Jones_, aided the whole performance greatly. Mr. J. Booth accompanied with precision and skill, and Mr, J. G. Finch wielded tho baton, the success of the performance being mainly attributable to his care, ability, and energy.