RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CHOIR

Otago Witness, Issue 4029, 2 June 1931, Page 64

RETURNED SOLDIERS’ CHOIR

The concert by the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Choir, under Mr T. Leech, attracted a large audience to the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on Thursday night. The first choral number was the part song “ Awake Aeolian Lyre ” (Ernest A. Dicks), the first few bars of which yvere given rather diffidently, but as the choir gained confidence it yvorked up to an excellent climax, maintaining good balance and volume. Becker’s “On the March ” yvas given very pleasing treatment, and Barnby’s charming “ Sweet and Loyv ” yvas sung yvith admirable restraint. Then followed the chorus “ Hallelujah, Power and Glory,” from “The Mount of Olives” (Beethoven), “ The Song of the Northmen ” (Maunder), Schumann’s “The Minnesingers," “The Laughing Chorus” (Dicks), Bantock’s “ The Hunt is Up,” and “ Funiculi Funicua ” (Denya), in which the solo part was capably sung by Mr George Crarvford. The most prominent soloist during the evening yvas undoubtedly Mr Maitland M'Cutcheon, the talented young violinist yvho has already created a particularly favourable impression on the concert platform in Dunedin. Mr M'Cutcheon’s first item was Mozart’s brilliant “ Rondo,” and his recall number yvas Drdla’s “ Serenade.” Later in the evening Mr M’Cutche’on yvas again heard in “Czardas” (Monti), and yvas once more required to respond with tyvo recall numbers. Miss Agnes Guy, yvho is the possessor of a mezzo-soprano voice of pleasing quality, sang “ Harbour Night Song ” (Sanderson) and “ The Star ” (Rogers) very artistically, and gave as a recall “ Arise, O Sun.” Miss Noni Davidson and Mr John Leech yvere associated in a duet, “The Day is Done” (Lohr), which yvas sung in such a manner as to require their- second appearance. Miss Eva Judd supplied pleasing violin obbligatos to both numbers. Two excellent horn solos, “ Angels Guard Thee ” (Metzler) and “Cavatina” (Carl), yvere played by Mr W. Smith, whilst Messrs G. Ansell and O. Holden sang the duet “ The Battle Eve” (Bonheur). Mr T. Harvey, yvho presented “The King’s Courier.” yvas the choir soloist. A feature of the entertainment was the yvork of Mr C. A. Martin at the piano. Mr Martin’s accompaniments yvere a delight in themselves, and to his efforts the soloists and the choir oyve a considerable amount of their success.