It is interesting that the singing was not accompanied by stringed instruments, given the relationship between the Dolmetsches and the Peasant Arts movement. I wonder if they did raise enough money to buy an organ for the Hall of St. George?
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| Haslemere Peasant Industries Christmas Card designed by Godfrey Blount reproduced courtesy of Haslemere Educational Museum |
"Amongst the Carols in last night’s programme were “As I sat
on a sunny bank,” “There came three Kings,” “The Golden Carol,” “Bethlehem,” “Lullay,
Lullay,” “The Carol of the Cherry Tree,” “In the bleak midwinter,” “The Furry
Carol,” and the “Wassail.” One set
of pictures illustrated different episodes in the career of St. Nicholas and
the curious metamorphosis of the French “petit Saint Nicholasl” or the Russian “Nikolai”
into the “Santa Claus” of Germany, and the English “Father Christmas.” Very
beautifully told, too, in picture and in words, is Mr. Blount’s version of the
old French folktale of Madelon, the shepherd girl, and the origin of the first
Christmas, or “snow” roses. The
choir brings evident enthusiasm to its task, and has some of the most
characteristic examples of our traditional Christmas tunes to deal with; but
the singing of the carols can hardly be said to have as yet quite reached the
level of exceptional excellence to be found in the Pictures themselves.
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| Haslemere Peasant Industries Christmas Card designed by Godfrey Blount reproduced courtesy of Haslemere Educational Museum |
Whoever has had experience in training
the raw material of South-country ears and voices can appreciate the difficulty
of any attempt at a couple of hours’ unaccompanied part-singing. Mrs. Blount is therefore probably wise
in making no such demand upon her singers. But the effectiveness of the musical part of these Christmas
Pictures might be greatly enhanced and the original harmonization of the
melodies be more strictly adhered to with an accompaniment of one or two
stringed instruments, in place of the American organ, or the obvious
anachronism of a pianoforte.
The proceeds of this year’s performances will be divided
between the spinning and weaving school and a fund for providing the Hall of
St. George with an organ."
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| Haslemere Peasant Industries Christmas Card designed by Godfrey Blount reproduced courtesy of Haslemere Educational Museum |
Great addition to Part 1- well done-great research-as always.Happy Christmas
ReplyDeleteThank you. Wishing you a Peasant Christmas!
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