Mexborough & Swinton Times – Saturday 29 April 1922
Conisborough Musical Society
A Fine Choral Concert
Elgar’s “King Olaf”
It was very regrettable that such a small audience should have assembled at the Globe Picture Theatre, Conisborough on Wednesday evening, for the concert of the Conisborough Musical Society. The audience was discouraging to the performance, but, though they lacked in numbers they had a keen sense of appreciation, and were not slow to show it.
The fact remains, however, that Conisborough supported the performers badly, and it will have to effect a considerable improvement if it is to be worth a place in the front rank of South Yorkshire’s many musical villages.
Indeed, the extent of the audience on Wednesday would not encourage one in the belief that Conisborough is musical, for if the Conisborough people will not turn out to listen to good choral singing what sort of music will they support?
The body of the hall was practically empty, and it is a reproach on Conisborough people to have to admit that fact. It could not be that the nature of the concept was not to their taste, for one of the finest choral work extant was the chief work to be given – Sir Edward Elgar’s “King Olaf.”
However it was not supported and it should have been, but the Society gave a very good account of themselves, notwithstanding the lack of support and encouragement.
The programme consists of two works, and it may be that, instead of the second one, a miscellaneous second part, such as is favoured at most choral concerts, would have been more acceptable. The choice of the second work was not a very good one, and some more interesting work could have been selected if a completely choral program was intended. At any rate, I think a miscellaneous second half would have been appreciated better.
The Elgar work is the setting for three soli, chorus and orchestra of Longfellow’s poem on old Norse legends. It is a very effective and impressive composition, wherein the music represents most admirably the spirit of the fine point.
Bards recite the story of the challenge of Thor, who represents Defiance to the Christian religion, to King Olaf, who takes it up and kills the representative of the God. The conversion of the people to Christianity, the marriage of Olaf, and his subsequent death in the naval fight, are very strikingly portrayed, and the work is very impressive from beginning to end. The chorus did exceedingly well with it, and gave a very good account of themselves. The introduction was nicely given, but the chorus did not seem to settle down properly until the first of the work proper, the fine chorus, “I am the God Thor.” This chorus was attacked was a most commendable decision and good effect, and the first part of it was quite a triumph for the singers. Towards the end, however, there is a very impressive pianissimo passage of about a dozen bars, and the effect of this was completely spoiled by far too much noise from the orchestra, particularly the drums and tympani, which instead of diminishing them in volume, actually increased, so that the pianissimo work by the chorus was quite lost in the rolling of the drums.
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