Splendid Performance

New Zealand Listener, Volume 22, Issue 551, 13 January 1950, Page 11

Splendid Performance

VER Christmas I heard a considerable number of broadcasts of carols from all kinds of sources, but the programme which sticks in my memory was the really splendid performance from 2YA of The Christmas Story, a fantasia for solo voices, chorus and strings . arranged by Thomas Gray and broadcast under the direction of W. Roy Hill with Studio Singers, and the Alex Lindsay String Orchestra led by Ruth Pearl. Mr. Gray’s skilled arranging, especially for Strings, has been an unobtrusive factor for a long time in many a New Zealand broadcast, and the whole collection of carols hung together splendidly. The singers, among whom could be recognised several Wellington soloists, were really excellent, and the string playing was delightful. It was truly a finished performance, The only thing I would have wished away was the inclusion of Tchaikovski’s Legend with its over-sentimen-talised story of the Child Christ and the roses, which went poorly with the noble simplicity of the carols. Expostulation NE of the works which seems to me to. show what Purcell might have done had he lived longer is that extraordinary song The Blessed Virgin's Expostulation which sends cold shivers up my back. whenever I hear it, which is as often as possible; I shall never forget an electrifying performance by Isobel Baillie in the Victoria College music, room. With "pleasurable ‘anticipation, then, I listened in to a broadcast of it from 2YA recently by Alison Cordery. I was not disappointed. Alison Cordery sang it really well; her words in particular being very clear. It is a song that needs finished technical singing as well as loving care, but the final result is Purcell at his very best. I have never been able to hear in Purcell’s instrumental music the delights which his admirers seem to find, but his vocal music is in another class altogether to me, and

i love this song most Of all.

D.

M.