ORGAN RECITAL AT S. ANDREWS CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1469, 1 December 1881, Page 2

ORGAN RECITAL AT S. ANDREWS CAMBRIDGE.

On Friday evening last a grand organ recital wae given in the new Church of S. Andrew, Cambridge, by the church choir, in aid of the funds of the Sundayschool. This is the third recital given by the choir, and the first in the new church. There were abont 200 persons present, which is the largest congregation that has assembled in the church since the opening day, and, doubtless, had the weather been more propitious, it would have been considerably larger. At the commencement of the service, the incumbent gave a shor^ address, impressing on the congregation the fact that the recital about to be given was not intended to appeal to the senses meiely as a musical performance, but to instruct them and elevate their minds to the contemplation of that which is most holy and sublime. During the recital, which lasted over an hour and-a-half, the demeanour of the audience was most reverent, and eich musical contribution was received with apparent satisfaction. The programme consisted of 13 selections from the oratorios of "The Messiah," IS. Paul," " Lobgesong," " Stabat Mater," and Gruonod's "Mass." The most pleasing and noticeable feature of the recital was the solo, duet, trio, and chorus from " Guonod'a Mass." taken from the "Gloria." There was a very telling clarionette obligato in this which was well played by Mr Mackintosh. The alto song " But the Lord is Miudful of His Own," by Miss Beale, and th 9 tenor song " Consider the Lilhes," by Mr H. W. Moore, were pronounced the gems of the evening Mrs Mackays rendering of "Angela Ever Bright and Fair." was dxtreinely good, and gave great satisfaction. Another noticeable feature in th& prt>g2'ajnine was tk& duet with hw& clarionettes "I Waited for the Lord," played by Messrs Mackintosh and Stuart. The rendering of this item was exceedingly charming, and much admired. We can safely say, as a high class musical performance, Friday night's programme could not be well excelled by amateurs. The choir intend, shortly, repeating the recital in aid of their own funds. Mr J. A. Beale presided at the organ, and accompanied the whole of the pieces in his capacity as conductor, and was assisted at the organ by Mr Neale. A sum of uver £t was realised by the collection.