Fond band farewell

Press, 4 July 1978, Page 6

Fond band farewell

By

C. FOSTER BROWNE

The National Band of New Zealand, soon away to the Netherlands to compete in the World Championship, gave a farewell concert in the Town Hall last evening under the direction of Mervyn Waters. It attracted an audience which filled the hall. An audience of this size is now rare, but the band deserved it, and the reception it received.

The programme might well have had more works written for a band, however. No matter how brilliantly a transcription from orchestral literature is played, it must lose something in transcription. Timbres are different, and there are orchestral

delicacies which cannot be performed satisfactorily by a band.

; A selection of marches by i Sousa gave us real brass . band sound, but Ravel’s ; “Pavane for a Dead Princess” ■ needed the sheen imparted i by strings, although the playing by the bandsmen was musicianly, and skilful technically. Moussorgsky’s “Night on a Bare Mountain” was brilliantly played, but it is better when heard from a good orchestra. So skilful is this band, and so expertly is it directed by Mr Waters, that the orchestral transcriptions sounded artistic and all were played with superb control. Mr Waters conducted with splendid finesse. The Aotearoa Maori Group

will go abroad with the band. This group is thoroughly expert in its dance, hakas, poi dances, songs, and stick games; it should have great success abroad, and will deserve all the plaudits. The group members’ skill in their stick games and in control of pois in complicated movements could not be faulted last evening. All they did showed a high degree of preparation, and they saw to it that their items did not go on too long. For the conductor, the players, and the Aotearoa Maori Group go fervent good wishes for the outstanding success they deserve to have everywhere they go. They will be shining ambassadors of good will for us all, at a time when we need it most.