AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 249, 20 October 1893, Page 2

AUCKLAND CHORAL SOCIETY.

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

The third orchestral concerb of the season was given by the Auckland Choral Socieby ab bho Choral Hall lasb evening. A laudable desire to introduce new and varied selections by celebrated musical composers of different nationalities was evinced by the programme being rather too severely classical. There is always a danger of carrying this idea to an extreme, and evon Choral Society audiences, which should be best able to appreciate this class of music, do nob dovelop a tasto for the purely classical unloss pleasantly and freely varied with lightor and more popular compositions. The attendance was large, notwithstanding a strong counter attraction at the Opora House, bub fully nine tentliß of those present wore ladies. This fact probably accounted to a groat extent for tho lack of thab robust enthusiasm which is so encouraging to performers, but ab bbc same timo it is rnoro than probable thab tbe selections on tho whole wore rather abovo tho bonds of tho audience. As soon a3 the membors of tho orchestra had taken their seats, Horr Carl Schmitt faced the audience and said, "Beforo wo commonco tho programme the orchestra will play Chopin's ' March Funebro,' na n tribute to the memory of that (.roab composor, Charles Gounod, nows of whose death was received by cablo yestorday." This fino funoral march was then played in oxcollont stylo. In order to provonb tho possibility of a continuous succossion of instrumental items becoming monotonous, four vocal numbei'3 were introduced amongst the orchestral pieces. Miss Reeve Bang " The Carnival" (Molloy) pleasingly, and later in the evoning contributed Denza'a fine song, " Had You Bub Known." Tho cflect of this charming song waa enhanced by a violin oblignto, ably played by Horr Schmitt. The other vocalist waa Mr F. Norman, who possesses a nice voico, of even quality and good rango. He appeared, bowever, nob to have a complete idea of tho powor requisite in order to ensure success as a vocalist in bhe Choral Hall. Both of tho songs rendered by Mr Norman wore good, tho first being "A Bandit's Life " (Harper), which requires both dramutic torco and pathos. Mr Norman opened woll, and did full justice in the transition passage " Benedicite, Father Mine," bub more power mighb with success have boen thrown into tho words "Oh ! horror, he swears." In the Becond part Mr Norman sang " The Flying Dutchman " (Parker). Both Miss Reeve and Mr Norman were re-called,

Naturally, the most interest contred in the orcheßtral items, of which " The Trout" quinbebto was the best. Tho selections performed consisted of three numbers—excerpts from this grand composition by Schubort. That the contribution was well appreciated was obvious from tho fact that it was the only item that meb with a really enthusiastic round of applauso, a compliment which should tend to encourage tho performers to the working up of similar compositions. This quintette was played by Miss Reove (piano), Herr Schmitt (violin) Herr Zimmerman (viola), Mr J. A. Bealo ('celio) and Herr Tutschka (contra bass). Next in order ot merit was undoubtedly the trio in A minor, one of Johann Brahms famous compositions, admirably played by Miss Harding (piano), Mr S. Jackson (clarionet), and Mr G. Paquo ('cello). This criois singularly rich in melodio beauty, the principal theme of the opening movement, the principal theme of the andante grazioso, which stands in piaco of tho schorzo,and the second eubjocb of tho finale, boing all gems. The treatment of tho thematic material of tho chromatical proportions of each movemenb are in all rospocts worthy of Brahms. With such performers it is almost needless to state that full justice was done to the composition, a fact that was recognised by the audience. The remaining items on tho programme were playod by the full orchestra, which comprised 34 instruments, ably lod by Herr Zimmormann, Horr Carl Schmitt conducting with skill and good judgment. The opening overture "Fatnntza" (Yon Suppe) was from its lively stylo calculated to please the audience. At the same time a littlo unsteadiness was manifested, while tho manipulation of the tympane was rather vigorous. A barcarolle by the Russian composer Tschnikowsky was admirably performed by tho orchestra. This composi tion gives considerable prominence to the wood-wind instruments, which were beard to great advantage. The intermezzo, " Amico Fritz," by Mnscagni, concluded tho firstpartoftheprogrammo. As a change from German and Russian composers, tho next overture was an oxcollent specimen of the French School by Adolph Charles Adam being from the opora "Lo Brasseur de Preston." There is a charming lead for stringed instruments, and the whole composition is bright and sparkling. The orchestra caught the spirit of the piece, and it was ono of the best rendered and moat appreciated items. The pnstarolefrom Guonod's opera "Philemon et Baucis" was another excellent performance by the orchestra. This also givos considerable prominence totheoboe, flute and clarionette, and these instruments did admirable work. The final item was a march and ballet music from Reinecke's comic opera " Aux Hohen Bofehl," which was played in a manner that reflected great credit on both conductor and instrumentalists.