Music Society

THE MUSIC SOCIETY

The Music Society had one of its most active terms for many years. In addition to the performance of "The Creation" (details of which will be found elsewhere) there were eight meetings of the Society. The Junior and Senior Sections met on alternate Thursdays throughout the term, and each lecture was delivered to both sections. The first was a talk by the Secretary, in which he described in brief Haydn's life and the form of "The Creation", illustrating this with gramophone records. At the second pair of meetings, J. M. Lord traced Stravinsky's life story and the steps by which he broke away from the Russian School of Music. P. Hunt and M. J. Macartney gave illustrated talks on the French Horn and Bassoon respectively : they described the qualities of the instruments and their use in an orchestra. At the final mid-week meeting, J. R. Anfield gave a piano recital in which he included Prelude and Fugue in F sharp (No. 13 of the first book of the 48) by J. S. Bach, Beethoven's Six Variations in F major, Opus 42, and "April" by John Ireland.

On Saturday, 6th February, each of the committee played and defended a gramophone record of his own choice. This produced a very varied and entertaining evening. The term was notably active for all the School's music lovers and our thanks are, as ever, due to Mr. F. Waine, our Chairman, for his enthusiastic and unfailing support for any and every musical venture in the School.

J. R. Precious resigned from the post of gramophone librarian. D. N. Kendall was elected to take his place. D.L.B. THE CREATION.

On Sunday and. Monday, 6th and 7th March, the School Choral Society and orchestra, conducted by Mr. Waine, gave a performance of the first two parts of Haydn's "Creation" in the Chapel.

The effect of this work should be essentially one of simplicity— this is one of its greatest attractions—but the realisation of this effect demands considerable skill on the part of the performers. We were grateful, therefore, for the chance of hearing, in a suitable setting, the genuine wonder and devotion with which Haydn approaches the story of the creation, through performances which were most enjoyable.

The accompaniment was shared by the organ and the school orchestra. The latter played with fine spirit in the main choruses but special praise must go to Mr. Perrin for his imaginative and resourceful accompaniments on the organ.

The chorus sang with enthusiasm. Despite their hard work, an unfortunate lack of balance was evident, probably because the 'flu decimated the ranks of the trebles.

The solo trebles sang their parts attractively; Wroe in particular, with more experience behind him, showed real musicianship in "With 15

verdure clad." The tenor soloist, M. Precious, sang with a feeling and a beauty of tone which hold great promise; the wonderful passage describing the creation of the sun and moon was most moving. Kendall, unfortunately another 'flu victim, supplied a good base for the solo ensembles. Mr. Ockenden made us appreciate fully the graphic description of the creation of the animal kingdom.

The tenors and basses joined forces for the rousing bass solo "Rolling in foaming billows" and sang with gusto and smoothness in the contrasting parts of the aria.

All who took part will agree that the success of their performance was due largely to the encouragement and inspiration of Mr. Waine, not only on the night but also during rehearsals. That there had been careful preparation was evident throughout.

SOLOISTS Gabriel (Treble) from A. D. Bailey, A. H. Baker, M. H. Ibberson, R. W.

Metcalfe, M. R. Wroe. Uriel (Tenor): M. Precious. Raphael (Baritone): D. N. Kendall. (Bass): Mr. M. J. Ockenden.

ORCHESTRA Orchestra Secretary: W. R. Bytheway. Violin I: Mrs. Kemp-Welch (leader), J. C. Brisby, A. J. Bytheway, A. J. D.

Foster. Violin II: Mr. W. Jorysz, Mr. R. Atkinson, O.P., R. P. Shouksmith, J. E.

Fearnside. Viola: Mr. M. Jones, O.P. 'Cello: Miss E. L. Groves, Mr. D. S. Mair, J. C. Powell. Flute: Mr. J. Ford, O.P. Clarinet: W. R. Bytheway, A. Hardman. Bassoon: Mr. J. Allison, M. J. Macartney. French Horn: P. Hunt, Mr. K. R. Pemberton. Trumpet: H. G. N. Fawcett, Mr. F. A. Lawty. Timpani: J. M. D. Kirk. Organ: Mr. R. Perrin.

Conductor: Mr. F. Waine. Chorus Secretary: N. R. Barton. Trebles: C. E. M. Atkinson*, A. D. Bailey*, A. H. Baker*, P. C. N. Brown,

R. A. Cockroft, J. J. Cooper, D. L. Edbrooke, C. F. Foster, P. J. Gregg,

M. H. Ibberson*, D. B. Mallinson, R. W. Metcalfe*, A. C. Milnes,

R. J. D. Wilson, M. R. Wroe*. Altos: J. R. Anfield, J. R. P. Lee, N. M. Lumley, D. L. Marshall, D. N.

Milnes, A. B. Skiera, J. M. Smith. Tenors: J. R. Brown, I. T. Hunter, D. K. Hirst, W. E. Jones, J. McD. Lord,

J. D. A. Platts, M. Precious*, Mr. K. G. Chilman, Mr. N. J. Dunstan,

Mr. B. Pease. Basses: J. G. Ainley, J. A. Baldwin, R. H. Barker, N. R. Barton, I. Bell,

D. L. Brown, J. M. Charnley, D. E. Coulson, T. P. N. Fawcett, R. J.

Hawkins, C. J. Hemsley, F. J. A. Hewitt, C. D. Ibberson, P. M. Kemp,

D. N. Kendall*, I. Kirkus, J. C. Lacy, W. Mitchell, A. J. Neal, M. J.

Poynor, D. L. Slade, T. E. H. Smart, R. A. Spencer, J. H. Sykes, E.

White, J. F. Williams, K. Yunibandhu, Mr. A. T. Howat, Mr. E. S.

Jeffs, Mr. M. J. Ockenden*.