NOTES FROM 2YA

Radio Record, Volume I, Issue 24, 30 December 1927, Page 7

NOTES FROM 2YA

ORPHEUS QUARTET. ‘The members of the quartet are the soloists of the Terrace Cangtregational choir, of which Mr. Len. Barnes is the conductor. Mr. Barnes was in the Cathedral choir, Christchurch, as solo boy and solo baritone, He has sung in oratorio in California, London, and New Zealand, and his experience and knowledge have helped in the training of the other members of the Orphens Quartet. On January 1 four quartets will be sung: "Evening

Hymu," by Dudley Buck; "Consider aud Hear Me," by Plueger, with contralto solo; ‘‘As Pants the Hart,’’ by Thomas, with soprano aud tenor duet; and "Homeland," +y Sullivan. Mrs, Harris will sing Liddle’s beautiful setting of "How Lovely Are Thy Dwell-ings’’-the words from Psalm Ixxxiy, Mr. Barnes will sing "Now, Heav’n in Fullest Glory Shone,"’ from MHaydn’s "Creation." This is a description of the creation of the animals-but yet there wanted man to praise his ‘God. On january 8 the Orpheus Quartet will sing "The Lark Now Leaves His Watery Nest.’ The words are by Davenant (1605-1668), and the music by Calleott. ‘The miain theme is provided by a tenor solo, with humming’ accomipaniment. A very beautiful Old Buglish number is "Golden Slumbers;** one of the most soothing of lullabies. In heavier vein is "In England, "Merrie England," from German’s comic opera ‘Merrie England’’-a delightful number, ending in cauon form. ‘The iwo ladies will sing Mendelssdéhn’s duet, "I Would That My Love." "This composer’s works are always melodious, particularly his two part-songs for ladies’ voices. Mr. Len. Barnes will sing Schumann’s famous song, ‘‘The ‘wo Grenadiers," the words by Heine and transtated from the German by Paut England, It tells the story of the two released French soldiers who, on returning to their native country from Russian prisons, hear of the downfall of their beloyed France and the capture of the Emperor. The song ends with the music of ‘Ihe Marseillaise.’ Mr. Arthur Coe sings "Star of My Soul," from ‘The Geisha"; and Miss Lily Mackie, Blumenthal’s lovely song, "Sunshine and Rain’’-this a fine song of optimism; and Mrs. Harris, ‘My Thoughts." ‘In the Hazel Dell" will be sung,by Mr. Len. Barnes and the quartet-another of the lovely old melodies that will ‘never die. On January 10 a very fine number, "Comrades in Arms,’ will be given, depicting the eve and day of battles Tt is the call to fight, and is a fine martial melody. (Continued on Page 15.)

Programme Features Continued

iContinued from Page 7.)

WILLIAM, RENSHAW QUARTETTE j{ CHANGE IN PERSONNEL. In announcing their first, proZramme for 1928, the Reashaw Quartet have also to announce na change in the personnel, ; For business reasons, Mr. Thomas C. Wood, the baritone, has to teave Wellington, to go and reside in Wanganni. He is being replaced by Mr.. Davies. In Mr. Wilbur Davies we have a baritone little known in New Zealand as yet, However, possessed of a rich voice of exceptional range and fullness of -qualitv, listeners-in may expect. equally fine solo work as is always, rendered by members of the Renshaw combination of artists. The poetic instincts of his race, he is of Welsh -de- | scent, stand him in good stead, for his songs are always full of fire ands understanding, while the sweetness | of his modulated tones will be invaluable in concerted work. In their programme for January 2, | Mrs. Dunn is to sing that most ‘beau- | tiful of osti’s works:* "Good:bye," ; while Mr. Davies will open with, "Harlequin." Miss Nora Greene will, on this occasion, charm you with three old English folk songs, arranged by Walford Davies, the best known of which is probably "Drink to Me Only." On January 8 three melodious quartets are scheduled for this programme -‘O Gladsome Light,’ from ‘Fhe Golden Legend’; ‘How Lovelv are the Messengers," from "St. Paul’; and "Ere the Silvery Lamps are Lighted." LYREC QUARTET. On Thursday, January 5, the everpopular Lyric Quartet will be heard in another of those bright programmes which have been delighting all listeners for the past few months. The solo numbers have been selected to appeal to ail listeners because of their variety. Harry Phipps’s siaging of "Sweet Early Violets" will be a treat to tisten fo, while Mr. Goudie in the singing of "The Littic Irish Girl" is certain to make many feel they are back in dear old Ireland. The rich bass voice of Mr. W. Binet Brown is em: ineatly suited to the singing of the © rumber "King Love," and Mr. | Ho ve should round off a programme | of very high quatity. ; Miss Gwen Shepherd and her concert patty are giving another delightfut drawing-room evening on Tanuary 6. Two outstanding artistes, Misses Maida Hooker and Berta Carr, are scheduled for January 5. Miss Hooker was a_ student of the Maithay School ef Music (London). She will play Brahm’s "Rhapsody," contrasting this number with two modern numbers by John freland, "fsland Spell’? and "Ragamuffin,"’ ‘the latter probably being the most popular piece that Ireland has written. Miss Carr includes in her items ‘‘Negro Spiritual’? and ‘‘Deep River.’ As these two artistes reside in Auckland, this will be one of the few occasions on which they will be heard from 2YA. THE CELESTE QUARTET.

The next coneert by the Celeste Quar-. fet is announced for January 7, and a glance at the programme to be presented by this partv of talented singers will satisfy even the most eritical that a further evening of musical excellence is imminent. The concerted numbers to be presented comprise "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,’? an appealine melody arranged for soprano solo and quartet, and "Down in the Cane Brake,’ a spirited number for tenor solo and gttartet. "MELODEE FOUR." On Sativrdav, Jannarvy 14, 1928, the ponular "Melodie Four’? male quartet will be again heard from the studio of 2VA. A perfect blend of four wellproduced voices, coupled with artistic interpretation and original touches, places this combination in the front tank of maje quartets. In addition to the concerted work, the solo items of the four members reach a very high standard. . The members of the quartet-Messrs. Cc, A. Williams, F. Bryant. R, S. ATlwright, and W. W. Marshall-will each contribute solos. Mr. S. Havden, pianist, will assist ihe quartet in its aceumpanied numbers. eee ee em a ee en ee