CHORAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 170, 18 July 1907, Page 3

CHORAL SOCIETY.

OE£HESTKAL CONCERT.

There was a crowded attendance at the Auckland Choral Society's concert at the Choral Hail on Tuesday night, the programme being provided by the members of the Auckland Orchestral Society, •which is affiliated to the Auckland Choral Society. The instrumentalists gathered in full strength, there being sixty executants present. Admirable interpretations -were secured of the orchestral selections. The transitions effected from any one degree to another between extremes of force "were accomplished with, perfect freedom, and tie slight and almost imperceptible changes of spaed in some of the numbers was nicely done, and were only made to bring out the characteristic rhythm and accentuation of each musical phrase or sentence. The band played admirably together, their climaxes were of imposing grandeur, and the attack of the notes was characterised by the same grip and unanimity that the performers are noted ior, while the releases were crisp and certain, and the intonation was generally reliable. Weber's fine overture to Der Freisehutz received a capital rendering, and was much liked by those in attendance. The

"Adagio" was delivered in a broad manner, and some nice shadings were achieved, in the "Molto Vivace" the syncopated notes were clearly expressed, and the strings played their quaver arpeggios well in tune and nicely together, while a fine volume of tone was produced in the part where the band play in full harmony, the staccato passages were delivered with decision and accu-

racy, while the strings in their diatonic semiquavers executed their music with facility, and the solos between different instruments -were sweetly rendered, while a magnificent volume of tone was made in the closing bars. * 'Three movements from the famous Symphonic "Pathetique,"' from the pen of the celebrated Russian composer Tschaikowski, were carefully performed, and it was made manifest that every bar had received careful attention at the rehearsals. Movements 2 and 4 went very much better than at the society's last concert, and movement No. 1. which the band played for the first time last night, received a satisfactory interpretation. The bassoon and low strings in the "Adagio" played their part carefully, and the light flitting figures of the episode were given with gayety, and afier the climax the vanishing steps were effectively rendered, the following "Andante was performed in an impressive manner, and the air by "cellos doubled above by the violas and brass in harmony, was played with great passion and graceful phrasing, the responsive duet between flute and bassoon and a new motive with a sattando rhythm for the strings, and other instruments joining with = a sustained answering figure, was admirably

expressed. The violins in their melancholy motive in the allegro played with distinction, and the violas in their fierce obligato worked their part up with animation, and the redoubled voices of the wood and. brass in their mournful tones played most pathetically, and the insistent reiteration of the motto alternating with the broaa fateful strafli, descending in the brass -was effectively given. And an impressive delivery was secured of the closing phrases. Brahms' "Hungarian Dances" fNos. 1 and 2) were delightfully played, and tasteful readings were given of Saint-Saens' "The Deluge," and Delibes' "Naila": the former was so mnch enjoyed that part of it was repeated. Mr. M. Orchard saojr "The King's Minstrel," and gave an effective rendering of Sullivan's "The Lost Chord,"' which was delightfully accompanied on the organ by Mr. H.*E. Tisht, F.C.O. •

Herr J. Wielaert conducted the band and controlled his army of executants firmly, and they answered his heat like the well disciplined body they are. Miss Whitelaw, Ljt.A.M., made an efficient leader of the orchestra.

[The above appeared in part of yester day's issue.]