BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 169, 18 July 1924, Page 10

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA.

ENJOYABLE CONCERT. Auckland's capable body or Instrumentalists, the Bohemian Orchestra, grave its second performance or the eleventh season before a crowded audience in the Town Hall last evening. The musicians assembled in full strength, and grave praisoworthy readings of the line programme submitted. The nrst two ana last movements from Anton Dvorak's "New World Symphonle," opus 95, No. 5, in E minor, were the principal numbers presented, and highly interesting renderings were secured of these attractive pieces. The Symphonle was composed in 1893, during the Bohemian mastor's sojourn in America as director of the National Conservatory or Music. The title or the work is explained by the Tact that in It the composer wished to encourage American composers to rellect in their music the spirit of the folk tunes which have grown up.ln America. The themes are absolutely the mental property or the composer, influenced by negro melodies, and in some Instances they are a very close resemblance to. them. Dvorak treats his subjects with spirit and , ingenuity. Its wealth or ft-esh and rasclnating ideas, uncommon instrumentation, and striking rhythms, proved irresistible, and at the termination of the finale the audience displayed its pleasure or I the work and the intelligent performance I the orchestra gave or the music. The I Adagio was played In a quiet and gently- j moving rashlon, and until after the subdued ' entrance of the principal subject or the I Allegro mono the performance was worked up to In spirited style. Strings ana winds \ in massive playing sounded the fortissimo dissonances in tones of Immense weight and sonority. Violins in the minor key, with harmony In the lower strings, played with delightful tone quality, and the second theme, with solo Tor llute, in the major was charmingly expressed. The reading of the subsequent music displayed to advantage ' careful phrasing, minute attention to de- | grees or tone, admirable part playing, line exhibition of musicianship by horns, I brasses, and wood winds, and accurate cxc- j cutlon of dotted intervals and measures. Some admirable work was pre- I sented by the musicians In the Largo. Winds opened with delicate chordlng, and strings followed with a nicely subdued performance or the negro plaintive love-song. The rapid succession of phrases and the I three themes singing at the same time were I admirably realised. Very careriUly treated ' was the "Poco Piu Mosso," and a soothing ' and charmingly expressed perrormance was secured or the closing sentences by woodwinds, brasses, and strings. The Allegro Con Fuoco was given with varied splendour j and colossal tonal quality. Strings exhibited strength and purity or sound in the martial measures, whilst the whole orchestra in the massive harmonies performed with precision and • distinctness. A riffli outburst or tone and fiery display during the delivery or the "Un Poco Meno Mosso" | concluded a memorable perrormance or a i notable composition. Salnt-Saens , fourth I ■movement from "Suite Algerienne," Verdi's overture to his opera "I Vespri Sicillana," Skelton'e "Indian Dance," and Fould's "Kei•tlc Suite" were executed In admirable style, and the executants were warmly applauded, whilst Dunkler's "Bord de la Mer" gave the 'cellos a line opportunity Tor display, or which run advantage was taken. Their tone was good, and the perrormers played nicely together and the stringed orchestra ably seconded their endeavours. Chaminade's "Ah, Sing, Sweet Bird" and Wagner's "Dream For Elsa," from "L'ohengrln," were carefully sung by Miss Evelyn Lynch, after which she was warmly encored, and a similar compliment was paid the Lyric Four arter their acceptable perrormance of Parke's "Sands or Dee" and Storch's "Reveries." Mr. Colin Muston skilfully directed, and always obtained from his musicians every desire," and Miss Whitelaw ably led the orchestra.