The London Kelt

THE TREORKY CHOIR AT QUEENS HALL. This important event took place on Monday evening, the 23rd inst, our expectations of this ""Royal" body of singers were great; and had not the late Sir Joseph Barnby justified them, when he said they sang as he had never heard a Choir sing before ? Barnby knew what good singing was; and although we Lon- doners were not privileg-ed, on this occasion, to hear the choir at its full "fighting" strength, we are prepared to endorse the great Albert Hall Choir leader's opinion, that this Treorky Choir is a grand combination of voices. The choir came-sang-conquered; and "wherein lies the secret of their success ? I have heard numerous other choirs, in which there were equally good individual singers, yea, as many such as could be found in this choir. I have had several opportunities of listening to Dr. Rogers' well-known Penrhyn Male Choir-than which it would have been utterly impossible to bring together a finer, grander, combination of Bass singers, yea, even of Tenors, and yet, I verily believe they never sang as did this Treorky Choir. Without entering into details, here we had all the essentials that go to make perfect tone pictures. There were only four colours used by the conductor's master-hand but, by the force of his individuality, what gloriously coloured tints or effects were produced I Everyone of these 47 singers realized, in his own mind, the thoughts expressed by the countenance and movements of their conduc- tor. There was nothing to prevent it. No copy' stood between the singers and their leader. The notes and words had been learnt by heart. They needed only to catch the spirit—the inspiration—of their guide, and all was harmony. Truly Mr. Thomas is an unassuming con- ductor. Evidently he relies not wholly, upon his hands. There is but little movement of body, all is perfectly natural. He sings a little with the various parts, and thus partly enables his choristers to get a proper grip -of the piece; and once they get it, his look and expression seems to chain them to his will as by magic. But it is the power of will over will. Ye local conductors, think of these things! To generalise, be it noted that the choir sang Rhyfelgyrch gwyr Harlech;" "The -Druid's Chorus (Dr. Parry-a noble piece which was reviewed by the writer in the Kelt some time ago) The Tyrol (A. Thomas), I, Y Delyn Aur;" The Destruction of Gaza" (L. de Rille). Nearly all their efforts were applauded to the utmost, and for encores, they sang" The Soldiers' Chorus" (Faust) and "The Comrades in Arms" (Adams). The strain had been so severe, that they did wisely to exclude the last chorus set down, viz: I I Safe in port," for which a Quartette "The Soldier's farewell was substituted. This was sung by four members of the choir and was deservedly Scored. The last verse especially, sung pp Was simply perfect. They then sang « Mentra Gwen "-an arrangement which I did not admire. • ^r- Fred Griffiths' Flute Solos were rendered n his usual finished style, but were not fully PP^ciated. Most of the auditors liked sing- g best. Neither did Mr. Merlin Morgan's PIar:oforte Solo, a fine rendering of Liszt "Rigoletto "seem to move the crowd. Never- theless it was a performance worthy of honour- able mention. # The famous duett Excelsior sung by Mr. Maldwyn Humphreys and Mr. Emlyn Davies, brought down the house; and both these artistes' solos were well sung-especially Mr. Davies' Lead, kindly light "-a composition imbued with deep religious feeling. For encore this singer gave, in response to popular de- mand, Rwy'n myn'd." My friend doubtless forgot himself when he left the platform to fetch the music. Mr. Iago Lewis sang The Toreador's Song (Bizet). His style is greatly improved since I last heard him, and he possesses a voice rich and pure. It was, however, difficult to follow the words-which were mostly indistinct -a fault which counterbalanced this singers merits, alluded to. I heartily congratulate Miss May John upon her rendering of Mendelssohn's "Hear ye, Israel (Elijah). This lady also has gained in volume of tone since I last heard her. She sang with deep feeling, with great intelligence and care. And in the matter of the emission of words, she ought to be envied and imitated by many of our artistes. Not a syllable, not a word but could be distinctly heard in any part of the the hall and that without sacrificing any of the other essentials of good singing. Of course she was encored. + I was also much pleased with the purity of voice and careful, intelligent, rendering of The Swallows" by Miss Nellie Asher, whom I listened to for the first time. I need not enter into further details, under- standing that such will be furnished in a gen- eral report. Mention, however, must be made of the accompanist to the Choir-Mr. J. T. Jones, who, on the whole did his work well. I conclude by expressing the hope that the Royal" Treorky Male Choir may see its way to pay us another "gracious" visit very soon. PEDR ALAW. The first general rehearsal of Jenkins Psalm of Life at New Jewin on Wednesday week was a great success. Over 140 members attended although the rain was pouring down outside. Mr. Mc'Naught was the con- ductor and a good one too. His manner was most attractive and should prove a lesson to all our conductors young and old. He never lost his temper-he smiled at the mistakes, he was humourous over them, and thus got ever so much more out of the choir. He went through the whole of the work in an hour and a quarter although he turned back over and over again. Miss Morfydd Williams who turned up quits unexpectedly proved a most effective accom- panist, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Treharne. Mr. Mc'Naught wanted to know when he was to come again The next rehearsals are to be held in April Mr. Jenkins himself will conduct them. April the I I th he will be at Charing Cross Road, cn the 12th at Falmouth Road, and on the 13th at Kings Cross. It is advisable that no mem- bers be allowed to join after the 13th. The secretaries and conductors are requested to make a register of their members by that time.