Mexborough and Swinton Times February 19, 1926

Recital at Denaby
A Beautiful Programme

In spite of inclement weather there was a very good congregation in the Denaby Main Parish Church on Sunday afternoon to hear a musical recitation recital of exceptional charm and interest by Mme Margaret Nixon, L.R.A.M., A.R.C.M., contralto of Mexborough and Mr W.A. Twelves, violinists of Conisborough, assisted by the choir of the church, conducted by Mr G.V. Smith and the organist Mr E.Dabbs.

The principal contributed to the problem was Mme Nixon, a lady who has been absent from this district for several years, and in the meantime has developed her musical gifts.

She presented a trilogy of trilogies, that is, three groups each of three songs, and the songs chosen brought out the breadth of the singers art, for their variety demand a great versatility. Except for the Negro spiritual “Deep River,” by Burleigh, which was interesting chiefly for its incongruity, all the songs were in the loftiest mood, each calling for subtle difference of treatment.

There was dramatic power in the scene of the first group: “The Song of Ruth” (Gounod), “Teach me to pray” (Williams), and “Ave Maria” (Bach-Gounod).

The second group included “O Lord, Thou has searched me out (from “The Woman of Samaria”), “God shall wipe away all tears” (from Sullivan’s “Light of the World”) this latter easily the finest of the afternoons offering.

The tender moods of the singer were charmingly expressed in the final group to which was relegated the songs, “Thou’rt passing hence”, (Sullivan), “Night, gentle Shephard” (Collins), and Liddle’s “Abide with me.”

Your performance was impressively performed, and those who heard it will no doubt readily accept any further opportunity of hearing Mme Nixon.

The singer was very fortunate in her violinist for the “Ave Maria” and “Gentle Shephard” songs, for the obligato’s were extraordinarily well done by Mr Twelves, whose solo were also a very enjoyable item, particularly the “Canzona” of Carl Bohm, though the famous aria by Tenaglia, was very delightful too. Songs and airs alike gained from the skilful organ accompaniment by Mr Dabbs. The choir sang a motet by Parry, “My soul there is a country,” and the chorale from “Elijah” – “He that shall endure,” and sang both with beautiful effect.

Three of the Songs sung at the Recital courtesy of YouTube: