Technical College Orchestra

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28321, 5 July 1957, Page 7

Technical College Orchestra

The Technical College Concert Orchestra, conducted by Mr F Port, gave a concert in th» Civic Theatre last evening. As the playing was continually out of tune and there were many notes heard which could have no relationship to the scoring, it cannot be said that the performance ranked highly. However. the Fantasia on “Greensleeves.” by Vaughan Williams. sounded quite pleasant and was played with balance and expression. In this work a young pianist. Mervyn Barker, played with a secure touch and produced in even and good tone.

The works chosen were not well suited to the orchestra’s present stage of development, as shown it this concert. There were technical difficulties which were not surmounted, and many passages which were hard to keep rhythmical and properly in tune because of the slow’ and sustained nature of the music. These always show up the weaknesses in ar amateur orchestra

The works played were Poieldieu's Overture. “The White Lady.” the “Hiawatha” Suite by Coleridge Taylor. Aria in E from the 12th Concerto Grosso by Handel. Four English Dances by Frederick Cowen. “In the Steppes of Central Asia.” by Borodin, and Dance of the Flower Girls.” by Khachaturian. Edith Blyth. accompanied by Beatrice McEachen. sang’“O Lord Most Holy.” by Cesar Franck. “O eet Reponse.” by Schubert Songs My Mother Taught Me.” by Dvorak, and. with violin obbligato. played by Bernard Slade To the Confiding Star.” by Robaudi- She sang with a sympathetic tone. —C.F.B