New Britain herald., 1915-05-14
COMMU NIgATED.
Catholic Choral Union Praised for Its
 Excellent Concert.

< S4 E t Those Whos.were SD fortunate as to hear the delightful program given py the Catholic Choral Union last Sum- day evening, under the able direection ton of Professor Harmon, enjoyed q rare musical treat.
 The work oL lnls society deserves to be brought more generally to the attention ot all lovers of really good music in this city both for pleasure and profit.
 For the high standard, of excellence the yearly spring concert should be regarded as the chief event of the season and it should receive sufficient advertisement for some time before the occasion
 The characteristic feature of this well-ba1anced chorus is fresh quality of tone, precision, naturaIness and freedom from voice strain.
 These points were particularly mo- ticeable in the Twelfth Mass, the score of which would tempt singer, if anything could, to force the voice by aid of throat muscles which should remain quiet.
 But there was not 9 suspicion of
 
 beginning to end.
 The present scribe being prone to look for failings as we'll as the good points of musical performance, was relieved and pleased to be able at once to relax into a state of calm en- joyment with the assurance that the Well-trained chorus would successfully accomplish it's difficult task Each |, fully and clearly enunciated that no effort was required of the listener, and at no time did the excellent ac- compartments fail in providing per feet support for both chorhs and soloist, and this feature is in itself no small part in successfully carrying out a musical program.
 A thoughtful listener always gains some helpful, hint from a musical treat, in addition to the pleasure of hearing it, so particular reference should be made to the work of the baritone soloist. MT. schlegel, who on this occasion gave an exhibition of vocal skill we'll worthy of imitation.
 It was not that he comes from the Metropolitan Opera House, but en- tirely from his high standard of ar tistic merit that he takes rank with 3 the best vocalists of his day. Not from his voice, style and enunciation could one gues his nationality for in his singing he embraced the best qualities of every master of the art
 When this stalwart, broad-shoul- dered vocalist first made his appear. ance one was inclined to look for a vigorous display of vocal power right from the shoulder" so to speak, in- stead of the beautiful, smooth tonal quality, and artistic restraint which characterized his work from first to last.
 His carefully modulated tones, nev- CT forced, were combination of all the qualities which belong to the per- lection of vocal art-perfect breath control, variety of tone color, reson- ance, good enunciation and crowning all a manifest sincere love of his art. One who does not grasp the meaning of the word art, might imagine that the natural ease and lack of effort displayed by MT. Schlegel would seem too closely akin to nature, quite forgetting that tone art is an approx imation to nature.
 At no time did this vocalist seem to rise to the full power of his voice as the size of the auditorium did not require it.
 Another desirable feature was the absence of the obnoxious tremolo which so many singers mistakenly strive to gain.
 As an earlier report of this concert has already been given with words of praise for the other vocalists, the spe- cial object of the present writer is to call attention to, and emphasize the fact that the Catholic Choral Union occupies an enviable position as musical organization, with the poweA and ability to elevate the standard Of l musical taste in this city. l The program of last Sunday eve l ming might well be repeated for the benefit of many who have not become I acquainted with the excellent work l of the Catholic Choral Union which I from the fact that most of it's mem- bers do not pretend to read music at sight, Is all the more deseryine of praise, and greater tribute to their capable, pains-taking, enthusiastic leader. Professor Harmon. i F. B. F.