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Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

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hondda Musical Festival -

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hondda Musical Festival Noddfa Society's Perfor- mances. [By Our Own Critic.] The committee of the Noddfa Choral Society, being desirous of obtaining an independent and impartial criticism of their musical festival, I very gladly accepted the invitation to attend their performances of Gounod's Redemption on Christmas evening, and Mendelssohn's "St. Paul" and Spohr's "Last Judg- ment on Boxing Day. The opinions formed will be found below. The quartet engaged for the occasion was Miss Ada Forrest, soprano; Miss Lucy Nuttall, contralto Mr. Cynlais Gibbs, tenor; and Mr. Robert Ratlford, bass. An orchestra of twenty performers, led by Mr. Gomer Jones, Maesteg, with Mr. Tom Davies, Pentre, at the grand organ, assisted the large chorus of 250 voices. Mr. J. T. Jones, L.R.A.M., conducted throughout. Although space is rather limited, a few words on each of the performances will not be amiss before a general criticism is given. Music-lovers in the Rhondda. will feel grateful for the opportunity of sitting out a performance of the Redemption." This once po-pular festival work has, for some unknown reason, been shelved, and is seldom heard now. It is by no means an easy oratorio to perform, and is per- haps, beyond the abilities of our ordinary church choirs. It also needs a quartet of capable artistes, and the orchestration Miss NUTTALL, is such that skilled instrumentalists are required. All concerned rose to the occa- sion and gave a performance that was highly creditable. The chorus must be given "tlie lattrsl uifficiiltiGS seemed to be overcome with ease, while the expression throughout was thoroughly good. Especially was this so in the Ascension scene. The chorales were sung with the devout and religious spirit that was required. Of artistes^ Mr. Gibbs soon pleased his hearers. In fact, the quartet came up to expectations, # and their several efforts were well received. Their recitative singing must have been an excellent lesson to vocal aspirants pre- sent. The orchestra came out of their severe work with credit. Here they had their most difficult work of the festival, and, although there were blemishes here and there, still the playing was sur- prisingly good. The March to Calvary," one of tlio gems of work, had been looked forward to with much interest, but here one received the only disappoint- ment of the evening. It was not as good as their other work. However, in one direction finer playing lias not been beard in our district, and that is the accompany- ing of the recitatives. This is generally done in a very slipshod manner, if not left to the organ entirely; b<ut, due mainly, perhaps, to the good beat given by the conductor, the chords were always played with excellent attack. Altogether the performance was one that the con- ductor can look back to with pride, for to me, at least, it was a memorable one. Much interest was attached to the St. Paul" performances, for it had been given the week before by another organ- isation in the district, as reviewed by me last week. This seemed to place the choristers on the qui vive. A most intelli- gent interpretation of the work was given. The expression again was very noticeable. The following were very finely sung:—"Rise up, arise," "The Lord, He is God," "O great is the depth and The nations are now the Lord's.. loud passages were never noisy, the singers being always well in hand. The rendering of 0 great is the depth was certainly one of the best items of the whole festival. Of the, artistes, Miss Nuttall was magnifi- cent in her only solo, "But the Lord is mindful." Mr. Radford seemed to have been given much to, hie liking in Uon- sume them all to which lie did ample justice. Mr. bibbs' fine voice was again much admired, and who could but be lavish in praise of his rendering of the eavatina," Be thou faithfu Miss Forrest's best effort was Jerusalem, thou that killest." The playing of the orchestra was of such material assistance as to make the performance one that deserves the highest nraise. In the last concert, the artistes were afforded the opportunity of singing a solo of their own choice. Miss Nuttall opened with a magnificent rendering of btar of Bethlehem," her hearers being held spellbound. No less successful was ine Lost Chord," with Mr. Jones at the. organ. Mr. Gibbs also covered himself with glory for his rendering of Sound an Alarm." Mr. Radford sang The trumpet shall sound," and Miss Forrest "Rejoice greatly" but not with the same success as the others. Cherubim s magni- ficent composition, "Dies Irse, received very satisfactory treatment, while of the performance of Last Judgment the distinguishing feature was the great singing of Mr. Cynlais Gibbs. Now for a general review. The interest of the audiences in fes- tivals of this kind is chiefly centred on the work of the chorus, and so I shall deal first with them. Here undoubtedly we had the largest chorus heard in .any part of these hills of ours. Many young singers were noticed, especially amongst the tenors and bass; but notwithstanding this, the quality of tone was always good. It was never mere noise, which .any large choir can proditce; it was always musical, even in the loudest passages. There was also that which is absolutely essential in good choral work—balance. In most choruses heard recently, the tenor depart- ment has been weak, but this defect was not existent here. On the whole, the intonation was good, the only delinquents in this respect being the tenors, but this was not often. But the most praiseworthy feature was undoubtedly the precision and attack. It was never weak, timid, irregu- lar or uncertain. It was also very evident that great pains had been taken at the rehearsals with the phrasing. This was especially good in the performance of St. Paul." The words were also clearly delivered, and were never lost in indis- tinct mumblings. The conductor must be proud of this splendid choir, but this feeling must surely be reciprocated. His was the greatest triumph of the festival. To conduct a body of musicians is gene- rally one of the ambitions of every young musician, and without doubt it is a, dis- tinction worthy of the highest aspirations. In many cases, especially in the Rhondda, the art of conducting seems to the young musician the easiest of all the practical forms of music, but a little experience proves the contrary. In no other branch of music is the efficiency or inefficiency of the musician discovered more quickly or more easily. The least cultivated in an audience can detect the capability of the conductor. Having attended con- certs in all parts of our prosperous Valley, I can unhesitatingly say that Mr. Jones s undoubtedly the best oratorio conaucwi we have. He has his own interpretations to offer, and these he is not afraid to introduce. He is enthusiastic more than his physical nature will allow, perhaps, but what is as evident as anything, and this is a distinctive feature, is his musicianship. Of the artistes, the great successes were Miss Nuttall and Mr. Gibbs. The former, quite a young lady, but with absolutely Mr. OYNLAIS GIBBS. no self-consciousness, is truly the Mischa Elman of the vocal world. Her lower and higher registers are well equalised, while her voice is of sufficient power to he effective in a very large hall. The quality is pure and beautiful, while in voice production and general refinement it can scarcely he said that she has any- thing to learn. Her enunciation was equally as good. Although not often p given to prophecy, one can safely prophecy that this young singer will very soon be in the front rank of our contralto singers. Another singer that the commit- tee must be complimented for introducing to Rhondda audiences was Mr. Cynlais Gibbs—a Welshman, by the way. The great charm of his singing was the using of his high register. His high notes are of clear and ringing quality; he has adequate power and ease in delivery. He will certainly be heard often in this dis- trict. Mention must alsb be made of tlhe admirable arrangements, and the cour- teous manner of the secretary, Mr. Thomas, and his stewards. Seldom are the members of the fourth estate" so considerately treated. The three concerts were attended by crowded attendances, and it is to be hoped that the financial result will be entirely satisfactory.

Dinas.

Never Absent, Never Late.

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