BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 217, 12 September 1924, Page 6

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA.

# -— THIRD CO^XERT. A very enjoyable performance was o-iven by the Bohemian Orchestra in the Town Hall last night before a large attendance ol" subscribers. A programme of special merit was submitted and all of the works received inusicianly readings. There was a large gathering ot executants, and all divisions of the orchestral choir were equal to the demands of the music. Ihe strings were in line form, and secured admirable readings of the many difficult places encountered. Much was required from the wood-wind family and good results were obtained. The brass choir played intelligently, and the tone was more" re fined than usual. Mr. Colin Mtiston conducted in a manner i which Inspired the executants to do their best and Miss Whitelaw occupied the leader's seat and filled the post with distinction. Blandenberg's "L'Adieu. <lv Cladiateur"' was the initial number, and a bright delivery was given of it. Mendelssohns Hebrides overture opus 26, which was the outcome of a tour in North Britain, which the composer made in company with his friend Klingemann in the summer of 1S2I), received a reading admirably reflecting the beauty of this famous sea picture. Fagotto one and two, clarinettes, oboes, flutes, and strings charmingly displayed the flowing measures of the Allegro Moderato. A nice feeling for rhythm was felt during the execution of the undulating progression of semiquavers and thematic- passages by the strings. The winds in the sustained music were successful. There was good movement in the strident phrases and the attention given to the expression scheme and phrasing were other commendable features of the performance. The detached work was good in the D major portion, whilst the instrumentalists played with suitable effect in the rapid ascending chromatic degrees. Strings in the triads of I sixteenths were well together, and the I wind chorus in the extended mcas- ' ures produced a line tone. A well worked out finale concluded a telling performance of a notable overture. German's "Rhapsody Symphonique" received a presentment which gave much pleasure. The Allegro Maestoso, which is scored for the full orchestra, in a striking fashion, enabled the executants to show some delightful chprding and variety in tonal effects. The Presto Seherzando was executed in a bright and fascinating way. Oboes and 'cellos did admirably in the music set for them in the Andante, whilst a very impressive reading was given by the players of the flowing music. A martial and effective reading was obtained of the Finale. Percy Grainger's "Irish Tune" was unfolded by the strings in a style which exhibited the composer's attractive writing; the tone was round and satisfying in the broad passages, and the theme was charmingly sung. A jolly and gay reading was given of the same author's •'Shepherds, Hey.'' The orchestra concluded its share of the programme with a remarkably telling performance of Sibelius' symphonic poem "Finlandia," wherein horns, wood-wind, strings, and brasses played the rhythmical figures with musical sense, and displayed its | many changes in a prominent fashion. I Miss Elsie Bctts. L.R.A.M., a recent arrival from England, and a. solo piauist iof distinction, made a marked success in her musicianly performance of Grieg's famous "Concerto in A Minor" for pianoforte and orchestra. The music is conceived in the usual form as applied hy Mendelssohn and Schumann, and its freshness and interest are remarkably striking. The orchestral accompaniment is l a special feature, and adds colour to the solo part. Miss Betts executed the Allegro Molto Moderato with firmness of touch in the octaves and chordal scheme, executed the cadenzas with pcarliness and facile finger movement, treated the beautiful second theme in a tranquil and soulful cantabile, and executed jhe elaborate cadenza, which has its theme in octaves and flowing thirty-second figures in contrast, with a fine legato, rushing through its eights and subsequent arpeggios with great bravura and virtnosityship. The Ada/a-io was expressively treated, and a brilliant rendering was given of the Finale. The lovely instrumentation was suitably executed by the orchestra. At the close of this artistic performance the gifted j.ianist was enthusiastically encored. Miss Laura Stone's rich contralto was heard to special advantage in Bantock's "T.ai..ent of Tsis.** a ,„l sn( , Kave an JnJ _ | pressivc reading of Alfred Hill's "Waiata -Maori," which received a suitable orches- **-• I accompaniment. Miss Mavis Grevatt was enthusiastically recalled after her enjoyable pertormauce of Thomas' harp solo, "The Rising of the Lark." She dispiaved a singing (one, executed the arpe<*-o-i os With neatness of finger work, and made her themes stand out. prominently. She also gave with marked success an arrangement ot" the hymn "Xearer Mv God. to Thee." ' ' •*' The pianoforte accompaniments were in the experienced hands of Mr. Cyril Towsey.