MUSIC & DRAMA
(By ."Pasticcio") Often our seers and. poeta have eonfest That music's force can tame the furious beast; Can make the wolf, or foaming boar, restrain His rgae; the lion drop his crested mane, Attentive to the song; the lynx forget His wrath to man, and lick the minstrel's feet. Are we, alas! less savage yet than these? Else music, sure, may human cares appease. i—Prior. I heard a noble service in one of the parish churches yesterday, and an hour and a half of magnificent organ • and chorus—three organs answering each ■other and the whole congregation joining in—as Italians can do always in perfect melody, . . . every possible power of music used to its fullest extent —the best pieces chosen out of standard operas, and every variety of style, exciting, tender, or sublime—given with ceaseless and overwhelming effect; one solo unimaginably perfect, by a chosen voice thrilling through the darkness. AL music should be heard in obscurity. —Kuskin, on Music in italy. . The latest and most important event in music circles in New Plymouth was the visit of Madame Johnston-Topliss, of Sydney, in connection with the Male Choir Society's recent concert. The choir is to be commended on having persuaded Madame Topliss to come to New Plymouth, and in bringing such ■artistes here the society is rendering the community a real service, inasmuch as they thereby provide an opportunity for people to hear a class of music of a standard which in the ordinary course of things would not bo heard in New Plymouth. If the choir pursue that policy they will earn the gratitude of music lovers and ensure their continued support. What the subscribers to the Male Choir want, I believe, is not variety entertainment, but to foster a taste for a higher class of music, and if those who control the destinies of the choir keep that in mind they will "win out," and receive even more support , than at present. Of the work of Madame Topliss at tilj choir concert it is unnecessary to say much, except that she certainly ranks as an operatic singer of a high order. She possesses a clear and resonant voice, her notes are well produced and beautifully balanced, and she invests her solos (particularly those from Grand Opera) with that dramatic fire which makes the scenes she portrays live before her hearers. She was accorded a splendid reception, and responded liberally to the audience's demands for recalls. It was a graceful compliment on the part of the choir to entertain her to supper after the Friday night's concert. » * » •
With the work of the choir in connection with the concerts one could not but be disappointed. They have done infinitely better on some previous occasions, and it must be admitted that the first night's concert was not a fair showing of what the choir can do. They appeared to suffer one of those experiences which come sometimes to such institutions when nothing seems to go right. Just what may be the exact cause of such a happening it is hard to say. It may have sprung from many causes. The result, however, was unmistakable, and from beginning to end the choir was unable to maintain the pitch of the various works given. This was even apparent in the opening National Anthem, and became much more marked in some other numbers, so much so, in fact, that the accompanist had frequently to stop the piano part. The trouble is not a matter for despair, however, but once such a thing takes place at a public performance it is often very hard to correct it at the immediate occasion. It is more of a misfortune than a fault, though it undoubtedly spoiled th< concert. There are other directions, however, in which the work of the choir could be much improved. The most important, perhaps, is that of tone production. There seems too much a tendency on the part of many of the members "just to sing," without proper regard to the quality of tone, or their relation to the other voices of the choir, Phrasing and emphasis should.be more closely studied, as the proper observance of these matters makes all the difference between a finished and mediocre production. Faults in pronunciation and enunciation arc perhaps more easily corrected than any of the above. A little study of the words to be sung to which the elementary rules of elocution are applied would soon overcome such weakness as that of running the ending of one word into the beginning of another, or the failure to harden up final »onsonants. More careful attention should be given to vowel sounds, and to explain more precisely what I mean;l may note what, in this connection, is one of the Male Choir's most glaring mistakes. In the popular "Song of the Bow," which the public like to hear, the beauty of the constantly recurring phrase "The bow was made in England," is always marred by many of the voices pronouncing the word as though it were "Inglund." Similarly words which should have a pure "i" sound are made to sound like "oi." Another common fault is in the treatment of the final "er" syllable in words which end thus, which, by being finished too abruptly, sound as though the syllable were "a," such as "nevva" for "never" and "fatlia" for father," and so oi). The slightest turn of the final "r" would prevent such an effect These are faults all of which can with perseverance be remedied. .The New Plymouth Male Choir need not imagiho tlmt the faults are peculiar to themselves. They are defects which can befound all too frequently in the work of choirs and choral societies. Similar faults were apparent in the work of the competitions at the last schools competitions held in New Plymouth. The judges will bear me out in this, and their rettjirks to the competitors at the conclusion of the contests made particular reference to faulty pronunciation and to the want of clearness in enunciation.
The falling away 111 membership, or at least in attendances, of the Male Choir is a matter . for regret. Not long since the choiF'lftjfiflfe a special point in its announcemerifei-tbat it had 00 voices —though it is doubtful if that number ever actually appeared at any concertbut last week the number on the first night was only just over 30. The members themselves must realise that the success and life of the choir is largely in their own hands. If they neglect its concerts it can only be assumed that they have not attended the rehearsals, and if that is the case the faults which are revealed at public performances fluiist be laid to the charge of members and not to the conductor. No matter how good a conductor may bo, if he does xiot recede the co-operation of the membars it is impossible for good work to be done. Tilt rehearsal together is till) all-important matter in concerted music. Men of /uodeiate ftbiHtv whp lip-** en-
thusiasm, and whose choirs have had enthusiasm, have clone very good work. I commend consideration of this aspect of things not only to the Male Choir, but to every other choir. Quality, however, is much to lie preferred to quantity in every case. .»* • « A desire which lias been simmering beneath the surface of things in Waitara for some time was brought to a head recently, when those interested in the formation of a choral society met and determined to put their wishes into practical shape, and formed a choral society. Quite a number of prominent citizens have identified themselves with the movement, which should meet with hearty support from all music lovers in the riverside borough and its surroundings. Those responsible have shown 1 that they are in no way to he bound by I custom or convention, and 'lie appointment of 'Mnss Marlow as the conductor of the society indicates that the committee will not fear innovations. Lady conductors are rare in New Zealand, though not altogether unknown, and some excellent results have been produced under the baton in a feminine hand. At the initial practice last week there was an attendance approaching 30 and some useful work was done. The soeiety is in some little difficulty in regard to supplies of music, and if there is any choir or other body which has music of a suitable character which they might dis- ■ pose of, the officials will be pleased to get into touch with th*™ "i'asticcio'' congratulates the promoters and wishe3 the ! new society every success.
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Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1919, Page 12
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1,430MUSIC & DRAMA Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1919, Page 12
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