Evening star., 1941-01-30

ldC1lS PHI n1lSi AAOAAA
age to the older masters of choral
composition, the latter half OF the
program was devoted to American
composers with a refreshing reve-
lation of the originality and finish
which they brought to their works.
The quality of the voices of the
Westminster singers Is superior 10
that heard at their last appearance
here. The soprano section in par
ticular is exceptionally fine, with
number of pure high voices of
great beauty offset by the deeply
resonant timber of the basseS. The
tenors and contraltos do not domi-
nate to the extent of the other voices
and this makes for an inequality of
balance most noticeable in some
of the numbers. But it was OF
minor Importance beside the eX-
traOrdinary SureneSs and polish OF
the ensemble, the subtle nuancing,
the cleanness of attack and the
purity of intonation that dis
tinguished the a cappella singing
of each number.
The first thought that comes to
mind is the resemblance of the choir
to an orchestra of finely trained
musicians. While in the tonal
blending and the Well-defined in
terplay of light and shade the COM
parlson is correct, the extreme unity
which is achieved seemed to create
one great voice capable of express
ing the full vocal gamut. At the
same time the naturalness and
warmth that beauties the human
voice have given way to a perfec-
tion of tone and a sun/rb delinea-
ton of phrase that is so refined as
to approach the artificial. 1t is
art and keen musical intelligence
which stamps this group and makes
it unique but which does not permit
of emotional release such as is the
province of the human voice.
The first offerings of the choir
were sacred numbers difficult of
execution and therefore not in the
repertoire of less accomplished
choral groups. The intricate and
nobly planned The Spirit Also
Helpeth Us" by Bach and Brahms
20 Saviour Throw the Heavens
Wide" were sung with f1exibility and
sorority of tone without a touch of
stridency. Separating these two
numbers were the lovely "Bene-
dictus" from LISTS "Missa Choralis,"
Antonio Lottis "Cruciflxus" and
Bach's exquisite Come Blessed Rest"
sung without words. The polyphonic
treatment in the Interpretation and
the smooth tonal weaving in each
of these numbers were of the high
est order.
The program made no bridge be-
tween the classic numbers and the
several by American composers to
which the second half was dedicated.
Mr.. Williamson took time to identify
the composers for the audience and
to relate any incident regarding the
work which might add to the in
terest. For instance, Ernest Will
loughby, whose charming Joseph
Came Seeking Resting Place" was
one of the loveliest numbers the
choir sang, is faculty member
of Bryn Mawr and Peter j. Will
housky, the composer of Carol of
the Bells" a most effective work, is
head of the music department of
the public schools of New York
Orville j Borchers conceived the
idea of his "Joy" from the happiness
of the students at Kansas State
Teachers College, where he is an
instructor, in anticipating the
Christmas holidays.
The high lights of this American
group, however, were Earl Robin
sons Ballad for Americans" and
Stokowski's Negro Rhapsody" COM
posed for the choir by the noted
conductor. The Ballad" is synopsis
of American history, with a solo
voice relating events and listing the
names of the great patriots against
a light choral background. Spoken
words quickly interpOlated by Sev-