The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1871-04-18 00:00:00

THE ASSOCLITION'S CONCERT.

The winter season of the Dorehester VOW Associa-
tion was brought to 'a samessfal Mom on Thursday
evening last, when the new Com Hi:Mango was oom•
pletely filled by the friends of the members and sub-
scribers. who listened to • progremmo of three hours'
length with untiring seat, and the iraMtOOLIOO of eleven
o'clock only moderated their calls for repetition. Were
It only that the Association afforded so mach pleasure
as this 01100 Or twice in • session, its existence would
be justified, and good cause shown for its support. Bat
It does far mole. From September to April once a
week it brings together the people of the town who are
musioal,b3;it in never so humble a degree—for probably
the society embraces some who might, perhaps, by •
leaky guess, tell the difference between the Old
Hundredth and the National Anthem, while there are
many who would undoubtedly slog their parts in any
oratorio music at sight. The preens.' afford infinite
pleasure to the singers, and the very association has a
happy infinerce in every direetion. With society
composed of such diverse materials, the position of
the canductor is one of considerable difficulty, and the
immolation is fortunate in having at its head snob an
accomplished and sealeas =ulnae as Mr. Boyton
Smith. His devoted interest in the aesociation kindled
the enthusiasm of the memberathe rehearsals were well
attended, private practise was stimulated, and the
good result. were abundantly exhibited ox Thursday
night. But, gratifying as the concert was, it was •
severe trial to sing so difiloalt a programme without
the support of • band. Mr. Channon Cornwall, was
the acoompanist, and the *Morns got some help from
the piano under his manipulation, but • dosen hutra-
cuentalists would have given strength so the strong and
nerve to the wavering, so that the velem would
have attacked their leads more vigorously as • body, it
would have steadied those complicated farmed Morasses
which demand the utmost attention and nainess,
the general effect of the music would have been
heightened by its not being divorced from • fall
amonspaniment, and the beauties of Ma instrumental
paleages, notably that *harming violin soli in the
" Amen" (Morns, _which to be
ronce played by the
violins of • large band, is to remember forever, would not
have been lost to the sadism& We don't fore moment
blame the association for net hexing • band so far—it
haa not been in • positisse to establish an Instrumental
Society; being, as yet, indeed somewhat diffident of
It. own loam of academe, and quite unprepared to
Meer the expense of a band somposod of professionals;
but, now, we think, the time has arrived, when it
would he advantageous and is practicable, to fermi
an amateur band la co-operation with the Vocal
Association. Their primness would necessarily be
distinct at the outset of cash session, and they would
amalgamate when the two bodies had made some pro-
gress towards pulsation In their parts. At the con-
term, probbely, Tit might be found advantageous to
have • profes.ioneil limier but that, we hope, will
henceforth be within the means*, the society. The
argument in farour of a band is considerably strength.
seed when it is remembered that while all oratorio or
other concerted masks gains immensely when the instru-
mental and vocal puts are associated, the "Creation"
—the most popsies oratorio next to the " Messiah"—
. Jugai Eassehhoss," "Israel in Egypt," and others,
Minn • band, ere ioesible
The prineipai vacillate at the concert on Thursday
were ELM Anna Sinclair, • soprano with • voice sl
exquisite quality, who was introdiled to Dorset by
ILL Boyton Smith- Kiss Lucie Hann, • contralto of
great power ; Mr. Henry Taylor, tenor, of Salisbury
whose splendid alablag at the previous muted of the
moiety emitted such a furors; and hfr. F. Harry
Horectroft, of Salsbury, bass, with • voice of nominal
smoothness °embarked with good tone. The accompanist,
as we have said, was Mr. Chanson Cornwall, and •
better could not be desired. Tee Moms consisted
of 40 soprano, 21 alto, 16 tenors, and Ls bass. Con-
sidering the number of trebles the volume of sound
was Inadequate, but, no doubt, amongst these were
grouped the lees experienced of the members, and the
brunt of the work depended on • eomparatively small
number; the altos were heard with good eff at; the
tenon showed some disposition, as at former oonoerts,
to be unsteady, mostly from want of careful attentiou
to the realuetor ; but the basses sang excellently
throughout, and deserve unqualified praise. The moo-
dusting of Mr. Boyton Smith was most efficient,
although his Ma at times, and especially at the begin-
ning of the onmert, was most arisen'.
The first part of the programme consisted of Pert U.
and a portion of Part ILL of Handel's " Messiah." This
selection Included some of the most dllliselt choruses,
with an air for each of the priasipals. There was
• certain appropriateness in this passion musts to the
mason. Opening with the Morns "Behold. the Lamb
of God," its slow minor phrases had • peenvierly solem-
nising affix*, and were repealed in fugues by the
different parts with a confident emaranes befitting the
theme, until the concluding straias, 'whet, from some
Inexplicable cause—there is some suspicion that Dame
from • misapprehension of theint:ritessieb4Ettnsbe pianist—the
sustained note of the trebles the four final
bars died away without the eel resumed in
proper time by them with the altos and tenors, a
penes closaued, and although some of the voices felt
thew way to the finishing passage, the end was feeble.
However_, the mdleees gave them an moonraging cheer.
Mies Lucie Ham thee sang the air " He was despised'
with • richness of vales and an emphasis that give
remarkable eloquence to the words. The Moms fol-
lowed with "Stray be hash borne our Fiefs," but here
again the slow time led to • little reat.vissips that was
dlaquietinjriyApprosohing the close, ague the piano
mat , and disorder threatened, but Mr.
Boyton Smith himself took up the singing, and
by dint of exertion brought them together again
so that the Morns closed fairly. After this, no
further hitch °marred to mar the ..eoinplete
moo= of the programme. "And with his stripes
was gime with ears and prearion, and the eisittlauing
Norm "All we like shsegi• west remarkably
malls mimeo woo gives with maul' saws.