BAND PRAISED AGAIN

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30879, 12 October 1965, Page 1

BAND PRAISED AGAIN

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter —Copyright) NEW YORK, October 11

The New York “HeraldTribune” today hailed as “stunning and sumptuous” a performance in New York yesterday by the National Band of New Zealand.

The reviewer was less enthusiastic about the Maori dancers, who also took part in the show. He wrote: “From Down Under came the National Band of New Zealand yesterday afternoon to show a youthful Hunter College audience what musical heights a concert band can attain. The ensemble, an all-brass symphonic band now touring the United States and Canada, played with stunning pre-

vision and an array of sumptuous colours that almost belied the fact that It had no strings or woodwinds.

“The programme, drawn from the symphonic and operatic repertory (Verdi, Wagner, Tchaikovsky, Bizet, Liszt) was demanding and varied enough to make clear why the band has such a successful record in band competitions in Britain and on the Continent.

“The mark of any firstrate musical ensemble is the ability to retain good tone while playing softly, and this the National Band of New Zealand does with astonishing effect The thread of tone obtained by Norman

Thorn, director of the group, from the 60 cornets, flugelhorn, tubas (of all descriptions) and trombones in Fibich's popular ‘Poem’—and, indeed, in the British National Anthem—was astonishing in its purity and consistency.

“And the New Zealanders also can achieve a resounding climax as well, which is the special mark of a first-rate band. “The Maori dancers, another aspect of New Zealand culture, took part in the show but were less successful. Their dances are modified hula-hula, and their songs have a Hawaiian lilt But on this occasion the presentations were dispirited at best and sometimes ragged.”