OLD WORLD SONGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 769, 16 September 1929, Page 15

OLD WORLD SONGS

WESTMINSTER GLEE SINGERS ] FINE CONCERT To minds jaded by th@ utter futility of modern song, Mr. Edward Branscombe’s Westminster Glee Singers come as a reviving tonic. Scorning the artifices of stage presentation, but relying confidently on the artistic ap- | peal of their music, the singers group themselves in easy attitudes on the J stage furnishings to sing their old world songs that never fail to succeed. Their programme last evening which, with the matinee in the afternoon, served to introduce them again to Auckland audiences was a pleasing mixture of folk songs, anthems, carols, glees, madrigals, sea chanteys, and parts songs. In itself it comprised sufficient variety and was just short enough to send the audience away asking for more. A cheerful hunting chorus, “Foresters, Sound the Horn,” by Bishop, made an appropriate opening number. It also served to demonstrate fine tonal balance and clean, crisp attack. Other fine songs by the full company were Sir Edward German’s “Orpheus with His Lute,” and “My Bonny Lass,” a glee. Haste Ye Soft Gales,” by G. W. Martin, a cycle of Welsh airs, including “Swansea Market,” "All Through the Night,” and “The Men of Harlech,” a 16th century “Ave Maria” by Arcadelt, a carol, “Ring Out with Jocund Chimes,” by Sir Frederick Bridge, and a group of Old English country songs. In every instance the singing was beautifully modulated, and the shadings delightful. Here there was no straining after meaningless effects, which so often ruins this class of singing, but pure interpretation by a band of artists in perfect harmony. Particularly pleasing were the Sir Edward German bracket, Arcadelt’s “Ave Maria,” and two Somersetshire numbers arranged by Mr. Branscombe "Tm Seventeen Come Sunday’,” and “The Lark in the Morn.” BOY SOPRANOS The sea chanteys proved very popu- J lar. Led by Mr. Albert G. Greene, j who combines a fine bass voice with an engaging sense of hurdour, the j singers gave with fine effect “Clear the Track,” “Tom’s Gone to Hilo" and i “Billy Boy.” These are undoubtedly! growing in popularity and could well ; be introduced occasionally by the • male choirs of New Zealand. Mr. ; Greene also delighted the audience with the old Devonshire favourite, “Widdicombe Fair.” The boy sopranos made their first appearance in “The Pipes of Pan,” a unison song which showed to fine advantage the mellow purity of the voices. One of the singers, Harry Fearn. also sang with charming expression, Schubert’s “Cradle Song,” and for an extra number that was insistently demanded, “The Swallow’s.” His voice is of excellent quality, and it was handled with surprising artistry’. Baritone solos, “Youth Will Needs have Dalliance,” by Sir Arthur Sullivan, and “The Volga Boat Song,” were very pleasingly sung by Mr. Charles Draper, who showed effective use of the pianissimo, and two Irish numbers, of My Country” and “The Red Lark,” by Mr. Charles O’Connor, who I accompanied himself on the harp. In ! addition to being a harpist of no mean | ability, Mr. O’Connor also possesses a very agreeable tenor voice. Later in 1 the evening he again pleased the audi- | ence with a Warwickshire song, “Among the Leaves so Green-O." 1 The New Zealand tenor, Mr. Ernest

McKinlay, was given a warm welcome. He sang a 17th century song, “My Lovely Celia,” a negro number. “I've Got a Robe,” and in response to a further request a Maori number by Alfred Hill. Mr. McKinlay’s quality is as pleasing as ever, and his artistry makes him a valuable member of the combination. Donald Reid, one of the male altos, sang with nice effect “Ye Banks and Braes,” an arrangement of his own. and Mendelssohn’s “On "tV ings of Song.” A humorous quartet, “There are Women.” by Donald Reid, and a fine bass number, “A Song of Cider,” sung by Mr. James Barber, were also well received. Accompaniments by Mr. Edward Branscombe and Mr. Donald Reid added to the artistry of an entertainment that should attract the attention of all music lovers. New’ programmes will be submitted j nightly until Saturday, when the Auckland season closes.