BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA.

Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 281, 25 November 1921, Page 7

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA.

The .Bohemian Orchestra, consisting «f some 70 performers, save irs fourth «nd final concert of the eiglilti season in »* Town Hall last before a crowded aatlience. The prosranjnie ivas an attEßttive one and successfully carried tbmngu. whilst Mr. Colin Mus'tou a?ain displayed his powers as chief of the orchestra, imprerain." his airtSror'uy and musicianship on tuo watchful executant* Rossini's tuneful ar.d fascinating overture ro "II Barbicre di Siviglia opened the I'oncert. an.l excepting a little rassedness in tbe Andante a pleasing delivery was given i>i :i : mowir.ea: which cleverly embraces the ; themes of this charming and vapricions work. A vivacious delivery was achieved of tbe Allegro, the strings and winds ■playiDg admirably, whilst the music was carefully phrased*, and there was a fine sense o£ rhythm: specially noticeable was the performances by the brasses and winds in the <X major section. The .otrinss dietiogTjished themselves in the .Pin ilosso. and the syncopations and chordal p;irt* were well managed during the unfolding of the final. The celebrated Scottish author Hamisli .Mac-Cunn was represented by his tone-poem "The Land of the Mountain and the Flood." A descriptive and enjoyable interpretation was secured of this cleverly constructed piece of music. The 'cellos produced a nice cantabile in the oft-recur-ring charming theme, The strings and hems in dialogue were generally equal to the music, the trt\mbones played attractively, there was good movement about the performance, the sn-idings and colourings were extremely effective, the chording by the ■brasses was very commendable, and some fine work was presented by the woodwinds. lEngtebert Hnnvperdink's incidental music to "The iMiracle" was presented in a manner which displayed the variety of treatment of the four movements. The

"Profession," and "'Children's Dance," with its curves of melody were executed with a li~h.rness and cixarcn delightful to' follow. The 'Banquet Scene and Nuns' Dance received a particularly effective reading. In "The March of the Army and Death 'Motif the players ifully entered into the atmosphere of the scene. Tic woodwinds, violas, and other strings produced a nice tone timbre. Specially noticeable was the sonorous chording in Number 4. The two choirs of instruments charmingly displayed the beautiful Christmas music, •whilst the Finale to the initial act was played decisively, and with rich orchestral effect. Mackenzie's "■Scottish ißbapsody" enabled the musicians to show their skill in descriptive playing. The brasses opened well, and cleverly achieved was the performance of the modulation by the clarinet into the subsequent muted part. Tne inner voices were adequately presented, the brasses played decisively, the solos by the different families of instruments were always well conceived, the rapid parts went freely, and the climaxes and crefcendos were other commendable features of the performance. Verdi's beautiful Adajrio to "iLa Traviata." was very delicately handled, Haydn's 'MUnuef was given with humorous gaiety, animation and spirit, admirably reflecting the ■playfulness of this popular folk dance. Mise Edith "Whitelaw was deservedly recalled after her .tasteful performance of iSaint-Saens' ".Le Cygne," and the harp obligate by iliss Poole, and accompaniment toy the orchestra, were in the best of taste. Gounod's principal movements from •Tanst" concluded the orchestral part of the programme. •York Bowen's second and third movements [from >"* miniature pianoforte suite fonnd Mrs. 'H. ißloy able to express in a finished style the dreamy nature of the canta.t)ile in the .Nocturne, and the technical requirements of the Scherzo. At the close the pianist received a liearty double encore. iMiss Evelyn Lynch gave with pleasing vocal purity and charm Jlieaela's aria from the third act of "Carmen," and sang .pleasingly in 'Roger Quiller'e "Cnckoo Song," receiving after each a warm tribute of praise from tike audience. Mr. Paul •SaldaiKne after his .performance of "Vesti la Ouil>a," was recalled, tfhen he was frdwrd in "InvJctae." iMiss 'Edith Wiitelaw acted as leader of the orchestra, and. Mr. Eric Waters officiated as accompanist.