CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXII, Issue 290, 7 December 1891, Page 4

CHORAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

THosE.mombers of the Choral Society who «ere instrumental in inaugurating the aeries of orchestral concerts, otwhichFriday nignfc s was the first of the season, may congratulate themselves. They havo aciueved a notable success, and must have naa a full reward for the labour such work entails when they saw how well everything went, and how delighted the crowded audience which filled the hall were with the musical fare provided. Professor Schmitt, aerr rucchska, and all and each of the orchestra must likewise be warmly commended in general before yuas\nx to more detailed criticism. The improvement they have made during sne past few months ia surprising, and reflects high credit on all concerned- <"» the conductor, whose coaching and tuition at rehearsals is mainly responsible tor JJndoy nfchb'a pleasant resulb.andonthe members for the way in wbich they have tmown_ themselves into the work. One thing is certain, that every ounce of practice and patience showed their lull result. Yening. The orchestral P\ e 9?ai vvonb mosc excellently, and everyone wished there had been more purely orchestral items on the programme. The opening item, the "Overture to 4ampa,' is well known. The woodwind solos were scarcely perfect, but otherwise the Herold's music could scarcely have had a more spirited rendering. Ihe brass were to be commended in this item. They have a considerable amount of work, and they did it really very well, the blaring pseans which occur being very difficult to set perfectly in tune. Under Herr Tutsnhka's leadership the strings, too, were just as they should bo, and the able conductorship ensured the proper appreciations of the light and shade. " Excelsior " was agreeably sung by Messrs Ferriday and Worrall. _ Both sang well, and the tenor, who was in excellent voice, was specially commendable.

Miss Murray, a young lady who has never previously sung on an Auckland concert platform, made a mosb effective debut in the next ibem. Her singing of " Auld Robin Gray" was perlect in intonation, expression and articulation. Tho touching Scotch ballad was given with exquisite feeling and in a clear young soprano voice, whose chief charm is its intense clearness and purity. Miss' Murray sings Scotch ballads as lew can sing them, and will always touch hearts and win applause by singing them; but she showed to advantage later in the evening in Pinsuti's "Hallowe'en Eve," and this beautiful song gave full display to tho delicacy and beauty of Miss Murray's head notes, which were exquisitely clear. She was encored on botli occasions, singing first "John Anderson, My Jo," and attervvards one of bho little semi-comic chansons of which Alary Davis is feo fond. To the really musical, one of the treats of the evening was the duo between Mr S. Jackson (clarionet) and Mr T. Wood (piano). Mr Wood's accompaniment was indeed excellent, and completely eclipsed Mr Jackson's finished playingof his favourite instrument.

Bocherini's Gavotte was, of course, enthusiastically received. The quintette was, indeed, beautifully played, Herr Tucschka played exquisitely, and has t certainly never before been heard to such advantage. Tone, expression, everything was good, and the encore* which followed was in overy way well deserved. Mr Ferriday's singing of "Homo of My Eeart" (from "Ludine")waßaccepbable. His voice ia sweob and mellow, and has the true tenor timbre in the middle and lower register. His head notes are apt bo be harsh, bub obherwi.se he is a welcome comer to the choral platform. The performance of Suppe's sihviDg " Teufel's March " aroused memories of tho " Amazoninu March," and went with tremendous swing acid go. it was encoded. The overture to " Precioaa" was admirably given, and showed the Stirling capabilities of the orchestra. M.r Simma sang " YVhun Night is Darkest." His voice is of good quality, and ho would sing pleasantly but for one or two mannerisms and affectations which would ruin a far finer voica and singer. They are fail lbs easily gob rid of, and without thorn , Mr Simms' capabilities would always command an audience. Probably bbc most praiseworthy event was Miss Marsden's really exquisite playing; of Dβ Beriot's * 'Scene de Ballet." Miss Marsden is always sure of what she plays. On this occasion she made a moro ambitious etiorb than any heretofore, and it was moro than a success. She elicits a beautiful tune, and her bowin" and execution tire mosb excellent ; there i 3 still a want of soal and expression. Her playing is exquisite in nni3h. JVlis3 Marsden has nvade a vast improvement—a really extraordinary improvement, and is to be most warmly commended and congratulated. Tho " Village Blacksmith" proved somewhat too much for Mr Hudson. It was a mistake to put the " Huguenots" as the last item. Doubtless h'-iici it been earlier on the programme more perfect rendering- might have bee-n given. As ifc was, the brase were uncertain* in the opening and gave the conductor some trouble right through. The time was scarcely so perfect, either, as it have been. The audietica were much to blame for fidgotting about, some people actually going oub during the progross of the piece.