Commendable Intonation In Orchestra’s Playing

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 2

Commendable Intonation In Orchestra’s Playing

Continued and clearly evident progress was apparent in the playing of the Christchurch Orchestral Society at its performance in St. Paul’s Church Hall yesterday afternoon.

Led by Miss Dorothy Buchanan and conducted by Mr Stephen Delany, the orchestra has a special importance in the community: for, in addition to giving opportunities to those amateur musicians whose aim is always the attainment of higher standards, it welcomes into its ranks younger players who have the same intention. Good intonation was a most commendable feature of the playing. This has been noticeable at previous concerts recently; but yesterday’s performance was probably the best so far because the French horn section had reached the standard of the woodwind group in which the tutti and the soloists played very well indeed. The most satisfying of the orchestral playing was in the Andante of Mozart’s “Divertimento, K 252” in which the quality and the blend of tone were specially effective. As to tone, several individual players set an example which will raise the standard of the whole ensemble ultimately; but the achievement of good intonation is a matter for present congratulation.

Handel’s “Occasional Overture” showed the orchestra’s strength in a precise attack, unanimity, and a competent wind section which included a pleasant-toned oboist for the Adagio. Then came the Mozart Divertomento which ended with a Presto Assai, a tour de force for the orchestra. A Sinfonia in D major by J. C. Bach showed the result of conscientious work by all, with the resulting steady improvement throughout the group; and the last item consisted of two “Bavarian Dances” by Elgar, in the first of which especially the French horn playing and that of the woodwind was highly commendable.

Mr Delany’s fine work is revealed by his orchestra’s progress and by the evident pleasure that the players derive from their music-making. Mr Trevor Hutton, a professional flautist of long experience, played solos in which he had Mr Graham Russel as pianoforte accompanist. His items included J. S. Bach’s expressive Sonata No. 5, three Mozart Waltzes, a scintillating piece of salon music by F. Doppler (“Hungarian Pastorale Fantasie”), and a Tchaiskovsky movement played on an alto flute of beautiful tone, an instrument made by the flautist himself. —V.G.