Choral Treat For Wellington

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 44, 10 May 1935, Page 21

Choral Treat For Wellington

Wanganui Performers In Demonstration Concert EXT Saturday a demonstration con. cert under the auspices of the National Wisteddfod, in Wellington, the Wanganui Combined "Vhoir and the Wanganui Male Voice Choir, wilt be well to the front in performance, Several names well known in New Zealand singing are listed with these performers in this outstanding group of yvocalists. 2YA will relay the concert. Mr. F.’ Wentworth Slater,. A.R.C.O.. of Wanganui. who is to be the vocal adjudicator at this Histeddfod. was formerly famous in Wales as a conduetor of choirs entering for;the Grand National Wisteddfod of Wales. He is to conduct the Wanganui singers in concerted items, and the performance should be effectively stamped with the mark of Mr. Slater’s genius in this direction. Mr. Arthar Jordan, the English tenor, when in‘the Dominion some years ago. after hearing this choir. said that it. vas easily the finest choir he had heard "in Australasia. and quite equal, to any he had heard in England, so Welling: ton’s audience and listeners may ex: pect something well out of the ordinary. The assisting artists are: Mrs, Stella, Wills, one of the finest contraltos, in

the Dominion, and Mr. C. FranklinBrowne. the tenor competitor who distinguished himself at the Wellington Competitions Society Festival last yea Both are pupils of Mr. Slater... The choir will number approximiutely 150. and are expected to arrive in Wellington ‘at approximately 6.20 p.m. on Saturday. A feature which has always distinguished the choir ‘is that all its work is done from memory ,and the tonal purity of the lyrie soprano section is remarkable. ' ‘ The following items are to be performed by the choir and soloists :- Mixed Choir Items.-"Ilow Sleep rhe Grave." Dr. Cooke; "The Night is Calm and Cloudless" ("Golden Legend"), Sul. livan; "Revel of the Leaves,"’ Venzic: "Moonlight." Faning; "TWallelujah Chorus" ("Messiah"), Handel: Hymn Tune, "Abberystwith"’ to "Jesu, Lover’ -specially arranged and harmonised for this concert by the conductor; "The Lee Shore," Coleridge-Taylor; "Qullaby." composed and harmonised by the conductor. J Male Choir Items.-"God Defend Ne ew Zealand." Woods (harmonised and arranged by the conductor); "Hymn Before Action." Walford Davies ; "Lull Me to Sleep," Kidner ; "Deep River," Burleigh: "Border -Ballad," Maunder;. "Shadow March," Botheroe; "Comrades in Arms." Adolphe’ Adam. Soloist’s Items.-Mrs. Stella Wills, "To-the Forest,’ Tschaikowsky; Mr. C, Franklin-Browne, "Sands o’ Dee," Clay; Male Quartet, "Carry Me Back to Old Virginny,’" harmonised and arranged by the conductor.