Studio Recital

New Zealand Listener, Volume 16, Issue 409, 24 April 1947, Page 11

Studio Recital

Christchurch has heard the Ashburton Vocal Study Group; at any rate it is to be hoped that we shall hear more of them in the future. There is something about local studio presentations that demands a special sort of attitude from the listener. This must be either because of a genuine, if slightly sceptical, interest in local talent-so that one is mildly. surprised when something good turns up -or perhaps because of a sneaking hope that something may go wrong in the middle, which would somehow be sublimely funny (nothing ever goes wrong with recordings except the announcer). In this way I suppose the studio recital is the direct descendant of the village concert. One is prepared to be just as critical and just as appreciative. The Ashburton Ladies gave a very pleasing performance, well-balanced, with good tone, and only slightly marred by occasional raggedness. One number in particular seemed to me outstanding both

in choice and presentation — Geibel’s "Plantation Song"; but even the wellworn old favourites had a_ certain amount of freshness. The least successful numbers, perhaps not surprisingly, were those involving legato singing — Schubert’s "Cradle Song" and Handel’s Largo. These songs were probably least suited to the ability of the choir. The Strauss waltz, on the other hand, with which they finished, was admirably chosen, and rather floored my earlier impression that the choir would do themselves more justice if they selected less well-known songs.