Better musicianship

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34146, 6 May 1976, Page 9

Better musicianship

The Christchurch Orchestral Society, conducted by Thomas Brown and led by Andrew Dale, gave its first concert of the season in the Mairehau High School hall last evening. The playing showed commendable improvement in many respects. Care was given to expression and to preserving balance in changes of tonal volume; there was good attack, and the players kept well together, showing praiseworthy unanimity in phrasing. There was noteworthy improvement in intonation, and rhythmic grip was well conveyed. Often the tonal quality was disappointing, and it is here that future attention could bring its rewards. Transcriptions from Mendelssohn’s organ works began the programme and were only moderately successful; lapses in tonal quality and in blending marred otherwise good work.

The fourth movement from Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5 needed more tonal subtlety in the middle section. Rosse’s “Merchant of Venice” suite suited the players, and they gave a pleasant rendering. Michael Lawrence was the soloist in Haydn’s Piano Concerto in D major, and played crisply and clearly, giving a stylish performance, to which the orchestra provided careful and well-intentioned support and co-operation. The second part of the programme was lighter in character and, for the most part, came off very well. The Grand March from “Tannhauser” was played with a will and with cohesian and Edward German’s “Nell Gywnn” dances had their customary out-of-door freshness, although a lighter touch at times might have been more effective. Copland’s “Down a Country Lane” did not show a clear and uncluttered way, and the “March and Procession of Bacchus” had some suggestion that Bacchushad

been doing good business before the march began.

Mr Brown conducted with confident clarity and had given the orchestra good training. —C. Foster Browne