CITY CHORISTERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 644, 22 April 1929, Page 10

CITY CHORISTERS

SEASON’S FIRST CONCERT “Of late, good music has been having a bad time all over the world,” said Mr. Maughan Barnett, city organist, in the course of an address to the audience at the Municipal Choir’s first 1929 concert., in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. He referred to the falling off of attendances last season, expressed the hope that the modern reaction in favour of better music would spread to New Zealand, and appealed to those present to do what they could toward securing larger attendances. From the outset it was evident that. Mr. Maughan Barnett had spared nothing ig producing a high and pleasing choral standard, while the programme had been chosen with a nice regard for catholic taste. Mendelssohn’s Second Psalm was the opening work, carefully attempted and carried through with delicate showing and particularly effective vocal balance. These choral virtues were again apparent in “An Evening Pastorale” (Shaw), which fully deserved the repeat that was so enthusiastically demanded. “Pan,” Rutland Broughton’s choral dance, was the next item, pleasantly contrasting with its forerunners and given with a lilting beauty of melody that spoke volumes for Mr. Maughan Barnett’s teaching. The part work was a feature of this offering. Brahms’s “Love, Fare Thee Well,” and “In Silent Night,” were following contributions, both carefully treated with West’s setting of the old favourite. “John Peel.” rounded the group with a lively note and proved that the choir possesses firm volume, full, yet rounded. Several solo artists held place on the programme. Miss Mina Caldow’s contralto voice was heard in “Melisande : n the Wood,” “Cloud Shadows,” and “A Birthday.” Miss Ina Bosworth’s violin solos were “Introduction and Adagio” (Bouch), “The Admiral’s Galliard,” and “Berceuse.” Variety was the keynote of Mr. Maughan Barnett’s organ selections, all of which were treated .with polished care. They included Bach’s “Prelude and Fugue in B Flat” and “Gavotte in E,” as well as the numbers “St. Francis Preaching to the Birds” (Liszt), the spirited “Toccata” by Gigout, a re-cently-published Minuet entitled ‘Beau Brummel” (Elgar), and Rubinstein’s impressive Wedding March. “Feramors.” Mr. Leo. Whittaker played the pianoforte accompaniments. RECITAL LAST EVENING Another enjoyable recital was given by the city organist. Mr. Maughan Barnett, lost evening. Items included Mailly’s “Marche Solenelle,” “In Paradisiurn,” by Dubois, and Bach’s “Fugue S’Ann.”