DELIGHTFUL MUSIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 447, 31 August 1928, Page 12

DELIGHTFUL MUSIC

ROYAL AUCKLAND CHOIR’S CONCERT BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA’S AID The Town Hall was completely filled with an attentive audience last night, when the popular Royal Auckland Choir, with the valuable assistance of the Bohemian Orchestra, gave its second concert of the present season. The choir and orchestra mustered in strength for the performance of the ambitious programme submitted, and in general it was a very creditable achievement. Chief interest was centred in Felicien David’s famous symphonic ode, “The Desert,” for voices and instruments, a remarkably descriptive and musicianly work which has nobly withstood the test of time. The vocal writing is interesting and effective, while the scoring bears the touch of a master hand, and the whole work is brimful of “atmosphere” and colour. The opening chorus, “Allah, to Thee I Render Homage,” was sung with reverence and restraint, and the “Caravan” chorus, with its antiphonal effects and swinging rhythm, contrasted vividly with the previous number. The “storm’* chorus, “Bow Down Your Heads,” was dramatically sung, and in this the orchestra provided a fine background to the voices. In the second part of the ode, depicting night in the desert, the choir showed to advantage in the “Praise of Freedom.’ when fine ryhthm and good style marked the performance. The tenor solo, “O Lovely Night,” sung b;

Mr. A. K. Wiigley, could ha» more colourful, and the companiment frequently "as * heavy. Mr. W. Walter j the second solo, “Evening m tation.” with some “iitmosphere, ! rather slowly, and the tempo rather erratic. Air. A. Fogerty' j famous “Muezzin Chant” with erable success, though not quite ern” enough in style. The chorus, “Again swung along well, and the final of Allah,” if a little indefinite at received a vigorous climax. ; Of the other choir items. “Great is Jehovah.” was most ant. In this the singing mign* times have been more comP though there were some impre---moments. ro jjr Under the conductorship of AirAluston, the Bohemian a fine performance of Victor He “Irish Rhapsody.” It is a very effective work, and is well - The playing of the orchestra ■ tremely good. The fine crisp neat phrasing, and good Jon*, greatly to be admired: a well a encore was given by the plajers. orchestra, under the baton Thomas, also provided the * cc ° Jg* ment to the Schubert v, ' ork * orchestral interludes and merits to "The Desert." adding j to the success of the these pieces. The playing of tne r _ Fantasia,” however, failed £ ' ' Us purpose to depict expert n i ship. . , ere *r j Miss Christina Ornnston ■ tractive voice was heard in ‘ Song.” from "L«i Bohemt, w a kovsky’s "To tho Forest, am a couple of encores. Her to good and her style * proved diction and terpretations are desirable. tr/ Mr. Thomas Harris clearness and intelligence lines in "The Desert . ’ pia no Mr. Towsey played tne t companiments and Miss the orchestra. mj**