CHORAL HALL – Orchestral Society's Concert

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 286, 4 December 1886, Page 2

CHORAL HALL - Orchestral Society's Concert

The Orchestral Society's final concert of the season took place last night in the Choral Hall, andlwaa but very indifferently patronised. The Society mustered 32 instrvnents and Herr Carl Schmitt conducted with hia accustomed success. The opening number was the fine stirring overture to " Masaniello," which was capitally played. As introduction to tho sscand part of the programme the overture to Gounod s early opera comkiue. "Tho Mock Doctor," was contributed. As the band parts were not obtainable in Auckland, Mr J. Clough had arranged them for the occasion, and he certainly discharged the task very acceptably. The performance was on the whole good, albeit the attacks, especially towards the end, were by no means so crisp and resolute as one would wish them to bo. In the andanto and minuet and trio from Beethoven's fir3t Symphony, the orchestra displayed more than their usual measure of attention to the fine gradations of tone and expression by which all of the iliustrious master's compositions are marked. The first movement was better rendered than the second, the graceful and courtly rhythm of the menuet pleasing the audience immensely. At a later stage of the concert the final movement from the same symphony was also played, and was listened to with pleasure. It is conceived in a light and exhilarant vein, and has a charming effect. The only other orchestral item was the concluding valse by Strauss,' Geschichten aus doni Wiener Wald," which has been performed by the Society several times before. As a matter of course tho string quartette (Messrs C. and J. Hemus, Clough, and ■Edger)j9 wore warmly received, and their tasteful rendering of an andante and presto from Haydn's first string quartette led to an imperative encore, with which they complied. Mr Trevithick was the only instrumental soloiut. He gave upon the violin, with a fair degree of success, a romance in F by Beethoven. The tone, however, especially in : the upper register, was rather too thin and uncertain. In fine, the selection wii3 rather too pretentious. Of the four vocal contributions to the programme Mr A. Tayler's rendering of "The Valiant Knight," a lengthy ballad in the bravura style by Kloss, was about the best. The gentleman's phrasing and expression were admirable, and he acquitted himself so acceptably to the audience that they enforced an encore. Mr Tayler |sang a few supplementary stanzas recounting the happy issue of "the valiant knight's" love escapade. Mrs Upton, although not in such good voice as usual, sang with good effect Kobaudi's captivating serenade, |" Alia hella confldente." It is better suited, however, for a contralto quality of voice. Mr 11. F. Edger played the 'cello obligato with marked ability. Miss Scraggs sang with Rood taste and expression a song, "O Vago I'ior" ("O Pretty Flower"), by Marraß, and produced a favourable impression... She was duly encored. Mr Morey gave 'lhe Wanderer" (Fosca). He has a voice of good range and pleasing timbre, but his performance lacked expression, and the time was faulty. ; Mr G. R. Clutsam played the song accompaniments with hia accustomed skill and