AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 63, 23 June 1910, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

THE LIEDERTAFEL CONCERT. The New Plymouth Liedertafel bad no reason to be dissatisfied last night with the patronage accorded its second public appearance. The organisation haa been in existence only about a year, and already the members have given two concerts, under tlie conductorship of Mr. C. 11, Anderson, who was largely responsible for the formation of the Liedevtafel. For last night's concert the Society were fortunate in securing the se#'vices of the popular and talented Auckland soprano singer, Miss Alice Rimmej; whose items were the gems of the evoking. Years of constant platform singin|s have not affected the freshness of fccr voice, and Miss Rimmer rendered h«r several numbers last night with all to* purity and sweetness of which her riA voice is capable. The singer was naif/ in excellent voice, and her songs weift > rendered without effort. "The Soul's Awakening," in the second part, was tfc* item for which the public expectantly waited, and all the more eagerly on aecoun.t of her signal success in the first i part of tlie programme. This fine comi position of Haddock's was a musical treat, given with rare sweetness, variety and sympathetic expression. Mr. A. L. Cooke played a capital violin obligato for this song, and also for the first encore, "The Song of Hope and Life." The warmly appreciative audience demanded a third song, and Miss Rimmer sang '"The Song of Roses." "Heaven and I Earth" (Pinsuti) was her first programme number, and "Spring Flowers" J was given as an encore. Miss Norah B. I Ford, a New Plymouth young lady, was ,the second soloist Despite her very I evident nervousness, Miss Ford acquitted herself creditably in her various num- " i bers, showing a nice contralto voice. Expression was not a strong feature, out only time and practice make the perfect singer. In the first part of the programme her "Through Love to Light" (0. I Wynne) was vigorously encored, and j she responded with "Ballad of Kisses." |Tosti's "Good-bye" was the second programme number (with flute obligato by 'Mr. Roy Lee), and again a second song was demanded, Miss Ford choosing "When All was Young," which was well , suited to her voice.

The, concerted items by the Liedertafel did not compare favorably with those given at the first concert. There was too much aiming at a staccato effect in many of the selections, an entire lack of volume, an uncertainty of attack in the first half of the programme and a tendency to drag out of tune. Nearly all the pieces in the first, half suffered from these defects, whilst there was a sameness in the treatment of the numbers that was not pleasing. The loss of Mr. E. Metcalfe as leading tenor was evidently a very serious one to the chorus. If the Liedertafel are to present only one or two soloists, the concerted numbers must be improved if the organisation is to remain in favor with the public. For instance, the singing of the three verses of "Allan Water" at the samp rap tempo prevented full expression jeing given to the sadness in the lines of the second two. The finest chorus was the "Gipsy Chorus" from the Bohemian Girl." In this the parts well taken and well balanced, the choir well in hand, and the various voices in • their turn nicely prominent. There was no mistaking the demand for a repetition of this number, whose treatment was distinctly creditable to the Liedertafel. "'The Young Musicians," a part song, was another fine item, attacked with considerable verve and abandon, and happily received. Other numbers by the full chorus were: "Glory and Love to the Men of Old" (Charles Gounod); "Maiden, Listen" (C. F. Adam); and "Parting" (F. Otto). The finest of the quartettes was "Stars of the Summer Night," a stop-gap item placed on the programme owing to Mr. C. H. Anderson's inability, on account of indisposition, to sing his solo, "The Wolf." This quartette (Messrs. F. Hooker, W. Ambury, E. Clarke and W. P. Crawford) was excellently balanced, precise in every movement, and in perfect tune throughout—the gem of the Liedertafel contributions. The same performers gave the "Song of the Minnesingers" with good effect. "Tliuringian Volkslied," a gem 'of vocnl music, was entrusted to a double quartette (Messrs. A. Veale, W. G. Redd, R. Nixon, G. H. White, A. S. Williams, W. Castle, E. Ellerm and R. Lee), hut was not very successfully treated. "Hark! the Merry Drum," in the second part, by a double quartette (Messrs. A. Veale, W. G. Reid, G. H; White, D. Newsam, T. C. Sohnackenberg, M. Rudd, F. , S. Johns and J. Taylor) was better, but greater declamatory effort would liave better conveyed the martial impression. The basses were very good. There wag but lone duet, "Excelsior," taken by Messrs. A. Hooker (tenor) and W. E. M. Guy (bass). The song was beyond them, and though they struggled heroically through it, they were not at all at home. Greater vigor was needed, and in the opening stages the duet was out of tune. The concluding item was the National Anthem, arranged as a quartette for Misses. Rimmer and Ford and Messrs. Hooker and Crawford. Mis* Roberts played Miss* Ford's accompaniments, and Mr. E. A. Golding, the honorary accompanist, was at the piano for the remainder of the concert.