MUSICAL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8480, 11 May 1893, Page 5

MUSICAL.

THE MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The advent in our midet of Mr Alfred Hill, of Wellington, whose fame as a solo violinist had preceded him, induced a crowded attendance at the Oddfellows' Hall last eveniug, when the Musical Society gave their first subscription concert of the season. The debut of Mr HiJl, as will be seen by the more extended comments on his playing, was a complete musical success, and Mr Wallace and the Musical Society deserve the thanks of all true lovers of music for the great treat afforded them last night.

The first portion of the programme comprised in addition to t'ae violin aad viola solos by Mr Hill, vocal solos by Miss Davie, Mrs McEwau, and Messrs M. Gard'uer and Vusehell. There were also two madrigals and a couple of part songs by the members.

Miss Davie's pure rich voice was heard to great advautage in Clay's "She wandered down the mountain side." Miss Da vie is decidedly one of our most promising vocalists, and with further study to correct a little crudity of style, she canuot but make her mark, as a vocalist. Mrs McEwan was quite over-weighted in Schubert's " Aye Maria," and it v to be regretted that she was nob heard in something more within her powers. Mrs McEwan sings melodiously, but there can be no doubt that ballad music suits her far better than more ambitious con)positions. Mr Maitkvnd Gaid'ner's bold resolute Btyle of singing had full scope in Gounod's " Vulcan's song," which by the "way, has a stroug Handelian character. It was sung carefully and well. ■ Mr Piischell took the time in " Adelaide " far too slow and to a great extent the success of the song was marred by this defect.

Mr Hill's opening violin solo waa a composition of his own, "Love—a Contrast." As a musical composition it is entitled to take high rank, affording, as it does, plenty of scope for artistic power in the two movements, the one plaintive and despairing the other bold and defiant. Mr Hill has a remarkably free style of bowing and excels in the production of the more delicate style of music coupled with brilliancy of tone and remarkable power as an executant. The rapid passages were executed with great precision and effect, and Mr Hill at once secured the most favourable verdict of the audience. He is certainly entitled to the greatest possible credit alike as composer and performer. In response to an enthusiastic encore Mr Hill gave "Hungarian Dance," by Natchez. The brilliant and rapid transitions. of the composition, together with all the delicate melodies which the composer has woven together so deftly, were all in turn most artistically reproduced by Mr Hill, the qualities to which reference has already been made, showing out very conspicuously in the number under notice. As a crisp, bright performance, full of uinsicianly fervour, the playing of Mv Hill in this was certainly wonderfully good. The next number was a viola solo, and for this Mr Hill chose the 4i Meditation in Bach'e first prelude," which has been used by Gounod for his "Aye Maria." This was grandly played, bringing out a full round tone with the richness of the 'cello combined with the delicacy of tiie violin. In response to an encore, Mr Hill played on the violin a transcription by himaelt of Tosti's song"Vovai Merit," a very brilliiuit composition, which was played with great taste and effect. Mrs Queree, an Auckland lady, played the piano accompaniments for Mr Hill's solo with care, Bymp&thy aud self-abnegation. It is so seldom one finds a piauist who does not play a piauo solo instead of the ground work, which an accompaniment really ie, that one like Mrs Queree is a pearl beyond price. Sir R. T. SearcH played the organ accompaniment for Bach's prelude very well indeed.

The vocal concerted music in the first part went fairly well. . The madrigal is a peculiar style of music, quite dietinot from all others, and the members of the Society have hardly yet mastered it?, and the voices were not weU balanced. Still there was some good work done, especially in the part soug, '* Old Hay IXiy," aud the madrigal, *■' Ai y Bonny Lass She Smileth. 5 ' Miss Wood played the • accompaniments to the vocal sdlos vory well indeeu.

MendeJssolui's *' Walpurgis Night," which we here know pretty well, formed the second part of the programme. The orchestra was a little uneven at times. The overture went fairly well, and in the chorus, v Come with Spear," the weird and uncanny style of the composer was faithfully interpreted. Misa JJavie sang the contralto part well, and Messrs l?uschell and Maitland Gavd'ner aii the tenor ami baritone mueic sing with agood deal of success, jlr A. Laurence made hie debut in the bass part, but there is hardly enough solo mueic to enable one to judge fully. His voice ia rather light, -but he has plenty of range. The choruses weat very well indeed, and, as a whole, the Society are to be congratulated. Mr Wallace conducted and Miss Packer led.