BANDSMEN'S COLUMN

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 32, 14 March 1914, Page 4

BANDSMEN'S COLUMN

Bv "MAESTRO."

Last Sunday afternoon Woolston Band were at Linwood Park, and played a good programme-'of music. Following are a few brief remarks on their playing: — The grand march "Edina" was capital in the f and ff passages, but there was a lack of precision and attack in the piano passages. . The basses sounded life an organ during most of thoir work. The weakest parts were in the cornets and horns,-and "the short notes had not a good quality, of tone.. Players should bear in mind' that a short note should be round, then the sound would resemble tone —to give a short or staccato note a click with the tongue without correct use of the lip at the same time will never produce, a note with a good quality of tone. The "Morceau" 'lacked precision at the opening, simply because it was a piano mark. The first few bars were indistinct, and the harmonies were not good and clear as a result.. The band got right soon after, as the volume, of tone increased, but the final cadence just.before the solo was out of tune. The solo was very fair, but the style was not good—the notes were pushed out instead of being articulated correctly. The band and the accompanists were very nice—in fact, they were better than the soloist. There were frequent little slips in the leading cornets, and; an apparent hesita-' tion in the various from the different movements in this piece: otherwise this was good. The ''Apollo" selection was well played. There were places where there ,was a falling away and lack of precision in certain sections of the band.:- For: kietarice, the quartet in the "Apollo" movement witii cornets aiid trombones was not well balanced, and the theme and parts were, not all f working. as>: one. -The tuttis on' the whole weres'gobd. "the band work was beautiful in the song "Oh, Who will O'er the frownsl" This was a pleasure to listen tpj" the baritone was rather cold -in hitf work, but the euphonium was very good, though inclined to be rather , mechanical. The trombone solo, '•' Come if 'You Dare,'' was well interpreted, but the band was inclined to be a bit loose now and again. The nuances, { were not brought out, with the exception of the flugel solo, as stated above. 'The "Military Church Parade" went * well till it got to the part representing the bells. This was not well done, ; ,.the reason being that the notes were too , abrupt . and short; this was apparent' again later on in the piece. The episodes were weak, and there was 'bad intonation in the cornet and soprano at times. The side-drum was missed in'this piece. The hymn varie ''Simeon" was good, and in this" the' soprano played really well in two of the movements-Mine part in the. minor movement was played with distinct, taste and, good expression. The "Queen Anne" was much the same as before at other concerts. The other

two marches were very creditably played, but the cornets in the G-8 were far too stiff and somewhat laboured. This part of the band needs sectional ensemble; it would be advantageous both to the players and the band. Derry's Band were at the Jerrold Street Keserve on ."Wednesday night, and supplied a fair programme of music. The opening march was lacking in spirit, and the sequences that are allotted to different sections were rather indifferently treated. The phrase was not well conceived. The "Valse" was a little untuneful and undecided at the commencement, but soon"" settled down to good playing. The melody in the valse proper wag a little weak in the definition of the phrases; otherwise this was ye'ry pleasing. The whole of the piece went with* a good swing. The selection was altogether .a different effort. Comparing this with the '' Valse,'' one would think that a-different band had mounted the stage. Apart from the work by the cornet —which was very weft done—and the. euphonium occasionally, this 1 was an uninteresting' display. -The trombones in the second movement were ragged, and the quality of tone poor. The reeds Ave'fe better in tune than on other occasions, but the quality of tone was no better. If the band can give a good performance on one piece, as they did with the "Valse," why not any other item on the list? The rest of the. programme was much the same as the last item. O'he of the important things that would help to improve the playing would "be for the conductor to look after the gen eral technique of the band; The in--tonation this evening was better generally, but still needs attention. ' ' Linwood Band gave two concerts this week— : one at St. Albans on Tuesday, and one on.Thursday in Victoria Square. The former was about the same- calibre as those generally given; the latter was perhaps generally a little better than usual, and this one I. will comment upon. The opening march, "Waldmere," was fair on tlie whole. The solo cornet was good, euphonium very fair, and the bass and horns were not so good. The phrase that is, repeated an octave*lower by the bass, etc., was also poor. The selection was not so successfully played. The cornet was the best of the soloists—-he did n*is part very well, with the exception that he does not put sufficient expression into his work. The euphonium -comes ' next in order of merit: his work was creditable. Perhaps the trombone is most successful by getting a fair tone. He has to lea* more of the use of the slide, also the correct method of note production, and his phrasing is weak. The basses do not play together. The horns "were the worst offenders. I have gone a little aside from the selection in my remarks here in referring to the various sections; but, to

return to -'i;his.. now, I cannot compliment ths ~ band; \:i on its work. Quite a number of bars of music were left out by various instruments, and the chords were not balanced!* The 'rnfomition of the horns was unsatisfactory. The waltz was not well played. The "Marine Artillery March ">vwas.; played-, somewhaflaboriously. Jni^Mempries-of England^.','..certain Soio|s.is, showed, sound work—-i.e., cornet and euphonium, but the band work w'M weak alt through. The '' Flowers of Australia Valse'' was well played by;solo cornet. The "Gems of Modern ~Mel9dy" was another percharacterised by band defects.

ITEMS, OF INTEREST. Before thp band started to play at Jerrold Street, on Wednesday, .night, Mr Jackson .'.announced ,from the platform that a collection would be made in order to raise funds to enable the authorities to erect ; -a band rotunda there. I am sure "Waimate -will be on' good terms -with themselves on Sunday, for they are to be visited by the Dominion champions. Mr A. S.chnaek and -his band are.to be in that place ainl give one or two programmes of their best music, including the recent test pieces. Mr B. J. Estall, conductor of Wofrlston, is to malce his.debut as an adjudicator next week. r He is to gO to Greymouth and- judge the march competition to be held there on St. Patrick's Day. We all wish, him good luck, and that he will return all. the better for hie new experience. . ■ .... .. The faster ton Bandare. looking qus for a new. conductor. Applications -are open to the end of this month, v For Canterbury, who' are alwaVs, on the look out for points' '6l interest, T'shail shortly have something to cation and !: adjudicators) 'asing the ana* terial of i/the. jrecent contest to- substaatiate my. ,;. ~,, ;, . ; . •>