LEYS INSTITUTE ORCHESTRA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 149, 26 June 1931, Page 5

LEYS INSTITUTE ORCHESTRA.

FIEtST CONCERT OF SEASON.

EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE. A very fine and varied programme was presented 'by the Leys Institute Orchestra at the Lewis Eady Hall last evening, when the youthful -combination gave its first concert of the season. This orchestra, between 70 and 80 strong, is composed, for the most part, of young players between 6 and 18' years. A few older players are included _to stiffen up the combination, 1 these being mostly in the braes and the , bass string section. The orchestra is serving -a very useful purpose in the musical life of our city, as a "nursery" for the adult societies, providing not only players for them, but also intelligent listeners, and, for this reason alone, it deserves the support and encouragement lof all our musical organisations. The programme opened ■with a march. Following a very wise and thoughtful precedent, set by Sir Henry Wood, who stands down at liis famous "Prom." concerto, to allow his leader to conduct one item on the programme, Mr. Harokl Baxter permitted the leader, Master Harold Taberner, to conduct this - opening number, thus giving him a valuable experience. Three light pieces followed, which were characterised 'by a firm attack and unani- 1 mity of bowing, the various nuances being j very tastefully expressed. The principal j event of the evening was the overture to j Flotow's "Stradella." This might seem a somewhat ambitious choice, but it was fully justified by the manner in which the instrumentalists rose to the occasion, playing with .both verve and expression. Some lighter selections came next, including the favourite "Melody in F" by Rubenstein. This served to demonstrate the 'beautiful quality of tone of the massed strings. In one of Lehar's 'tuneful waltzes, "Gold and Silver," a nice sense of rhythm was displayed, and a selection from "Cliu Chin Chow" was played with gusto. The concert ended with a stirring inarch, "London Scottish," in wliicli the brass at last got their chance. The vocalist was Miss Molly Atkinson, who was in particularly good voice. She sang with good expression and clear articulation, Carew's "Love's a Merchant" and Mallinson's "Sing, Break Into Song." Amongst Miss Atkinson's recall numbers was Miss Mary Brett's charming little gem "Eily Aroon," which was sung most caressingly. Miss Jean Clarkson gave as a 'cello solo, the lovely "Air on the G String," • toy Bach, in which she displayed beautiful tone, and, later in the evening, demonstrated her. virtuosity as a pianist in a 'brilliant rendition of Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody, No. 6. Miss Clarkson had to respond to recalls in both these numbers. . Mr. Harold Baxter, thei conductor, is to be complimented upon the successful manner in which he has brought his players on, whilst in Master Harold Taberner, who led the orchestra, Auckland possesses a young musician of whom great things may be expected. _ Miss Phyllis Graham made a sympathetic and artistic accompanist. There was a large audience, and the success of the concert is a good augury for the musical future of AuckI land.