"THE CRUCIFIXION."

Taranaki Daily News, 30 March 1918, Page 8

"THE CRUCIFIXION."

j SUNG AT WHITELEY CHURCH. j There is, perhaps, no season of .the | year, wiUi the exception of Christmas, that ■ finds such universal expression through the medium of music as does the : festival of Easter.- The sacrifice and tri- ■ uinph of the Christ have provided the j theme for many works, but amongst j thpm nil there is none more in favor \ than John St&iner's beautiful Passion- ' tide meditation, "The Crucifixion." The , work is the conception of a man of lofty soul, and portrays in a wonderful way i the progress of the divine-human tragedy, from the forsaking of Christ, by His disciples in the Garden of GcthsVmane to His death upon the Cross. T)|c service was produced by the choir of Whiteley Memorial Church last night, and drew a large congregation, showing, the favor in which the work is held by 1 local niusic~-l i etei>r-nnd was a tribute to ' the standard of efficiency attained by ' the choir in its previous productions ( ' ! the work. The chorus was strengthened j by the inclusion of a numb?!' of helpers, j which resulted in a better balance of ; the parts than could otherwise have been j possible. The conception of the work by : the conductor betokened a good understanding of the compossr's ideas, and the execution of the choralists showed that there had bean close application in its preparation, and a ready adaptability to the conductor's ideas. There were occasional cases of hesitancy in atteck, particularly in the passages written for the men's voices. The opening chorus, "The Agony," was well given, and, in conjunction with the interspersed bass solo, cfeated the proper atmosphere, which was maintained throughout. The processional "Fling Wide the Gates" was one of the best numbers. The- quartette and chorus ."God So Lovod the World" was a most impressive number, the sostenuto effect being will maintained, and good blend secured. It was in the final chorus, "The Appeal of the Crucified," that the best result was achieved, the recurring passage, "Is it nothing "to you," being very impress) ■/•>. The Chorales for ("loir and congregations were sung in p. very devotional manner. The exacting solo work was entrusted to Mr. W. Hutchens, Hawera (tenor), and Mr. R. L. Cooper (bass), and each gave devotional renderings of their parts, investing the work with the true Passiontide spirit. Mr. Hutchens sang with good taste and effect, the principal solo, "King Ever Glorious," being well sung, the final declamatory phrase, "Thou art the King," being , given with excellent effect. The bass wbrk is principally of a recitative nature, forming the necessary connections between other solos and chorus work, and was given with good effect. The duet, "So Thou Liftest Thy Divine Petition," was one of the moat enjoyable numbers of the whole work. The choir was under the coriduetorship of Mr. A. Gray, Mr. G. H. White presiding at the organ. The offertory which was taken on behalf of the trust debt amounted to £lO 16s.