Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 31 March 1933
Choral Concert Delightful Programme At Denaby
Conisboro’ Musical Society
The Conisboro’ Musical Society, which has ‘ now attained the dignity of being “incorporated,” gave its annual concert in the Epworth Hall, Denaby Main, presented a programme which pleased all the audience some of the time, and most of the audience some of the time. It was a very good “house,” too, though it came pounds short of paying expenses, but then, the Society has no hall in its area that will hold the money it generously spends on its annual concert. The choir were usefully reinforced from Doncaster, and by a fine amateur string orchestra professionally led.
Under these happy auspices, “A Tale of Old Japan,” by Coleridge-Taylor. a work of some difficulty and great charm, was included in the programme, and indeed formed the first half of it, the soloists being Miss Ida Bloor (soprano), Miss Gertrude Gilpin (contralto), Mr. Joseph Green (tenor), and Mr. Arthur Copley (bass). The solo work was competently done, the soprano, indeed, was brilliant, and the bass delightful; while the choir sang its way through the work happily, responding to every demand of the conductor, Mr. W. A. Twelves, who had a joyous evening, choir and orchestra alike answering all his expectations. The choral tone was a little robust for so dainty a piece, but it was a “good fault,” and anyhow the choir later showed that they were capable of delicate nuances.
The second half of the programme had a wider appeal because of its variety. It contained the piece de resistance of the evening. Mendelssohn’s Pianoforte Concerto in minor, brilliantly executed by Miss Ivy Smith (who was paying a welcome return visit to these concerts) and the orchestra. The concerto was played with sparkling animation, and was the outstanding item of a very fine concert. We also had the pleasure of hearing Tschaikowsky’s “Theme with Variations ‘ played as a trio by Mr. Norman Rouse (violin), Mr. Collin Smith (‘cello) and Miss Ivy Smith, with great feeling and beauty of tone; and two songs by Miss Ida Bloor: “Songs my mother taught me” (Dvorak) and “Will o’ the wisp” (Spross); and, in response to an insistent demand, “If my songs were only winged.”
The famous quartet from “The Yeomen of the Guard” (“Strange adventure!”) was sung by Miss Bloor, Miss Gilpin, Mr. Green, and Mr. Copley, and it was surprising to find such perfection of balance and blend in a fortuitously collected, though experienced, singers.
Finally we had three part-songs by the choir, two of them accompanied by the orchestra. The accompanied pieces were: “Footsteps of Angels” (Holbrooke), a lovely thing to which the choir did full justice this being indeed their best performance of , the evening—and a unison song by Dr. Dyson, “The Seekers,” with a captivating rhythm which greatly appealed to the audience. The ballad, “Linden Lea,” harmonised, with humming accompaniment for a solo verse by Mr. Green, was the choir’s other contribution, and it was very well received. The orchestra, led by Mr. Norman Rouse, was a notable contributor, and the society’s accompanist, Mr. Harry Johnson, also did excellent service. The conductor, Mr. W .A. Twelves, is to be warmly congratulated on the success of the concert, perhaps the most pleasing and interesting the Society has yet given. Mr. H. L. Smethurst (secretary) and other officials and members gave valuable help with the details of organisation.