ROYAL MALE CHOIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24411, 24 September 1940, Page 8

ROYAL MALE CHOIR

SECOND CONCERT OF SEASON COMMENDABLE STANDARD A commendable standard of singing was achieved by the Royal Dunedin Male Choir in. its concert in the Town Hall last night, when a degree of uniformity was apparent in ite work than at the previous recital in JulyOccasional lapses in intonation and cohesion were noticeable, but these were slight, and were to be found only in the one or two numbers with which the choir had apparently not succeeded in becoming completely familiar. Otherwise, the choir's performance was marked by confidence and skill, resulting in an entertainment that had many satisfying qualities. A considerable proportion of the credit for the choir's success is due to the deputy conductor. Mr James Paterson, who in the absence on military duties of Mr Alfred Walmsley, had been responsible for the final preparation of the choir for the concert, and guided it through the recital with musicianly insight and decision. Throughout the concert his control was unflagging, and the singers responded with spirit to his directions. Cooke's " Strike the Lyre," the choir s opening part-song, was a polished and engaging number, in which the choral tone and cohesion, particularly in the restrained passages, were excellent, in Lionel Field's " Drink of this Cup. the lilting swing of the composition was capably handled, but there was an occasional cloudiness of tone. The traditional Manx melody, "Mannm Veen, arranged by Vaughan Williams, was sung with appealing restraint and sensitive tone shading, ! Luther Greenwood's arrangement of "Abide with Me" was another effective piece of choral work, the devotional character of the hymn being strongly marked, and Hatton's "Warriors' Song' was attacked with fine spirit, the choir achieving good cohesion and resonance. An interesting work was Alec Rowley's sea cycle. "Full Tide," in which four aspects of sea life were presented with appropriate atmosphere. In some of the more sombre moods of the work the choir did not appear to be completely at its ease, tone quality and balance suffering slightly as a result, but the performance was, on the whole, a satisfying one. Osgood's "In Picardie" was another work of the. restrained and reflective type in which the choir usually acquits itself so well. and its performance left nothing to be desired concerning tonal quality, balance, and cohesion. The final number was Granville Bantock's 'Hope the Hornblower," which was sung with good precision of attack, and effective spirit. Mr John Pringle. who has returned to his place in the choir's ranks after an absence of a year or so. sang the baritone solo " King Charles,", by Maud White, with fine spirit, and Mr Aubrey Clarke pang 'Annabel Lee," by Leslie, with good expression. A male quartet, consisting of Messrs C. H: Wallis. W. G. Lane, J. Paterson, and G. R. Wentworth. sang Giebel's "A Stream of Silver Moonshine " in excellent style, balance and interpretative sympathy bein ' particularly good. Miss Meda Paine's Cecilia Choir, consisting of 23 ladies, presented two groups of with delightful competence and artistry. It was noticeable that these singers had so thoroughly prepared their numbers that they had no need to refresh their memories of their parts by reference to sheet music, notwithstanding the fact that several of their numbers were the reverse of simple in form. Male Choir members were, no doubt, interested in this manifestation of efficient memorisation. The result of the undivided attention which the lady singers could give to the directions of their conductor was perfect control, which, when added to sound balance, and a delightful equality of tone, made the Cecilia Choir's presentations a major feature of the concert as a whole. The first grouD consisted of Purcell's " Sound the Trumpet," a scene from "Oroheus," bv Gluck; Schubert's lovely setting of the 23rd Psalm. " The Lord is My Shepherd "; and " The Gardener." by Brahms. The choir's second bracket was equally. varied, and embodied "The Song of Shadows," by Armstrong Gibbs; "Seek Sweet Content." by Wilbye; Elgar's "The Snow"; "Here a Solemn Fast We Keep," by Roberton: and "The Wraggle, Taggle, Gipsies O!" The pianoforte accompaniments were played by Miss Thelma Gemmell.

The instrumental side of the entertainment was headed by a : trio consisting of Mrs Olive Campbell (piano), Mr Rees McConachy (violin), and Mr Alex. Blyth ('cello), who played Mendelssohn's Trio in C minor. This melodious and lively work was attacked with vigour and effect, but there was a tendency on the part of the piano the overshadow the other instruments. particularly the 'cello, on a number of occasions. Mr Walter Sinton displayed marked skill in his presentation of two marimba solos. " Polka " and " Lead. Kindlv Light," the performer's manipulation of two sets of padded hammers in his second' number being particularly effective. Mr Colin Oliver again carried out his task as choir accompanist with musicianlv sympathy.