Mexborough & Swinton Times April 10, 1936

Conisborough Music Society
Splendid Rendering of “King Olaf”
Presentation to Musical Director

During their 16 years of activity the Conisborough Musical Society have achieved a variety of success in concert, oratorio and opera. But of all none has been more praiseworthy than their presentation of “King Olaf” at Denaby on Tuesday.

“King Olaf,” in common with all the works of Elgar, is still sufficiently “unknown” to provide the most experienced musical Society with a host of problems. The music has its beauty almost entirely in contrast. This is seen perhaps most markedly in “The Conversion” when the thunder and power of Ironbeard typifies the old religion of Thor and Odin while the contrastingly gentle tones of the “King Olaf” eptomise the Christian outlook. In order that the oratorio shall be fully effective these contrasts must be emphasised with the most discriminating care.

In view of the success achieved by the Conisborough Society on Tuesday there could be no doubt that there oratorio had been rehearsed with great thoroughness. With the work such as this the mere possession of an excellent array of musical talent was not enough to ensure they presentation of the first order. The work is one which requires study not only by their conduct when principles but also by every individual member of the choir. Fortunately, in Mr W. A. Twelves the society have a musician who is above all capable of setting himself in complete harmony with the work in hand. It could be seen that he had himself complete the captured the mood, or moods, of “King Olaf.” All the contrasts were stressed by him.

The choir responded in a manner which was at once wholehearted and admirably restrained. Throughout the choral singing was excellent. There was at all times balance and control. Considering that the choir had to be augmented from the Doncaster and Rawmarsh societies the preservation of balance was even more creditable. The soprones were to be especially commended on the manner in which they maintained a secure blend of tone.

In the opinion of many, however perhaps the most pleasing feature of the evening was the work of the orchestra. It indeed seemed a great pity that this small but talented body of musicians cannot play together under the direction of Mr Twelves more frequently. Many of us will remember with gratitude Bach’s Suite in D and this solemn melody for organ and strings by Walford Davies which were played in the second part of the concert. In the latter the cello solo by Mr Collin Smith was one of the delights of the evening.

Much of the success of “King Olaf” depended on the capabilities of the principles. The society was happy in the choice of Mr Norman Crabtree as tenor, for he used his powerful yet sympathetic voice with excellent effect. It was heard perhaps at its best in “King Olaf’s return” Mrs Elizabeth Clarkson (soprano) was not called upon as much as were the other two principles but the little which was heard was sufficient to convince all of the quality of her voice. Mr Booth Unwin (bass) was, perhaps, the principle upon whom maximum demands were made. He handled the numerous bass recitations with security. As rendered by Mr Unwin they were among the most delightful features of the oratorio.

Unlike many of the better-known oratorios the poetry of “King Olaf” has a great beauty in itself. This is somewhat strange as it is a calibration of two men, H. W. Longfellow and H. A. Ackworth, and collaborations were notoriously unsuccessful.

It was fitting that the only “well-known” section of the oratorio was mended by the choir unaccompanied. This was “As torrents in summer,” one of the most beautiful of modern anthems. It was, after all, to the choir and to Mr Twelves that the credit for the excellence of the production must go.

The second portion of the programme was marked by the two excellent orchestral selections and also by the rendering of Eric Coates “Sea rapture.” The other item in the section of the programme was “Ah gentle May, I lay me down,” by Walford Davies, in which the voices of Mr Unwin and Miss Clarkson blended perfectly. The solo violin was Mr Joseph Rogers.

Tributes to Conductor.

On Monday, a presentation of a beautiful electric clock was made to Mr of W. A. Twelves, the society’s conductor and musical director, who has retired from both offices after 16 year’s service.

Making the presentation, Mr Charles Ashworth (Conisbrough), octogenarian member of the society, expressed the society’s deep appreciation of Mr Twelves work during his lengthy association with them and the deep regret they fell at losing his service.

Mr G. H. Smout (Conisbrough), a former secretary of the society, also spoke, and Mr Twelves briefly thanked the members.

Mr Lawrence Turner, a principal that one of the first of the society’s concerts, is now a prominent member of the BBC musical staff.

Last week the members of the society presented Mr H. L. Smethurst (secretary) with a silver cigarette case, and Mrs Smethurst with a vase. Mr Twelves made the presentation.