COMPETITIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1273, 31 October 1911, Page 6

COMPETITIONS.

VOCAL, INSTRUMENTAL AND ELOCUTIONARY. NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY'S FIRST CARNIVAL, YESTERDAY'S RESULTS. The New Zealand Competitions Society is to be congratulated on the success that is attending the carnival now in progress at tho Town Hall. There is an undoubted attraction about these contests, for anyone the least bit interested in music or elocution. Yesterday's programme was one of special interest. It included tho important contest for 27 pianoforte players.—'"Rondo a Capriccio in (i"_ (Beethoven), and Chopin's "Berceuse in D Flat," two selections affording ample scope for the determination of the executive and temperamental qualities of the player. The results were eagerly awaited last evening, for tho prizes were generous, the first being a Bechstcin piano. The evening performance, when the finals wero plaved, was quite exciting. Misses Madeline Webb (Auckland) and Rene Qneree (Wellington) and Mr. Baxter Buckley (Gore) fought out a splendid finish. 'The results of tho various contests are appended THE "BECHSTEIN" CONTEST. SOLO PIANIST RECITAL. Solo Pianist Recital Contest (open to all)— Test pieces, "Rondo a Capriccio" in G (op. 129), Beethoven, "Berceuse" in I) Flat (op. 57), Chopin. Pirst prize, eighty-guinea Beclistein piano, presented by the British and Continental Piano Co.; second. .£B.—Entrants—Ada Burgess (Pahiatua), Ethel Margaret Bowler (Gore), Rene Queree (Wellington), Agues Slicarsby (Wanganui), Madeline Webb (Auckland), M. Greon (I.ongburn), George Henry Ralph (Ali'redton). Aileen Moore (Dunedin), Mina Ward (Nelson), Sidney J. Harrison (Pcilding), Bernice MacKay (Dannevirke), Mnna Moore (Carterton), Stella Pollard (Wellington), Mrs. J. M. Emerson (JChandallah), Nora Caino-ron Petone), Marion M'Kinnon (l'etone), ilrs. Pauline Rigg (Wellington), Ruby Theresa Beelian (Auckland), Eileen Grace Dcunehy (l'imani), Baxter Buckley (Gore), Beatrice Annie Horner (Patea), Alice Snelgrovc (Feilding). Lilian Harper (Christchurch), lloris Rosa Watkins, (Weiling.i, .Muriel Pring'te (Wellington), Florence Cannon (Christchurch), Claire Wil(Fordcll). Selected for final test—Miss Rene Queree, Miss Madeline Webb, and Mr. Baxter Buckley. Honourable mention—Aileen Moore, Lilian Harper, and Florence Cannon. Final Test—.Mr. Baxter Buckley, of Gore, 1 (lti7 'marks); Miss liene Queree, of Wellington, 2 (107 marks); Miss Madeline Webb, of Auckland, 3 (15G marks). In the course of his remarks, the jiulgte (Mr. Harold Gregson) said that those present had witnessed the greatest contest ever held in New Zealand, and he commended the tine spirit in which it had been fought out. The "Rondo" of Beethoven had been called "the hunt for the la-st farthing," and, again, "tho rage over the lost penny," but by four o'clock he had come to the conclusion that he was sorry Beethoven had lost that penny. Some remarkably fine talent had earned distinction for themselves in the competition, and there were others who should not have entered. It was out of their class. Three stood out well above the others, but he had given three "honourable mentions" —Miss Aileen Moore, Miss Lilian Harper, and Jliss Florence Caniot. Another two who were not at all bad were Miss Horner and Miss Mina Ward. The winner was Mr. Baxter Hucklcy—(applause)—who gained lt!7 marks out of 200. To his mind Mr. Buckley's performance was the most matured. He had more temperament, individuality, taste, and that indefinable something that went to make up a masterly performance. His left hand work wa.s excellent, and his was the more musicianly reading. There was always something irt his playing. The second prize went to Miss Qneree. (Applause.) Her performance showed more temperament and musicianship that evening than in the morning. She produced a brilliant tone, which was inclined to !;o light, and her right hand work was especially brilliant. The third prizewinner played the "Rondo" like Miss Queree. She was nervous and her memory failed her for a moment in bar 310. The delicate work at the opening of the "Rondo" was playrd daintily, but her tons was small. She played the "Berceuse" better than Mips Queree, showing a little more sentiment. OTHER COMPETITIONS. SHAKESPEAREAN RECITAI,. Shakespearean Dialogue (lady and gentleman), not in character—Test Piece, "Bassanio's Choico of the Caskets," from "The Merchant of Ycniee." First prize, ,£3; second prize, ,£2; third prize, certificate— Entrants—Miss Lulu Arnold (Wellington) and Mr. Slyfield (Dunedin), Miss Tlielma Brown (Tasmania) and Mr. Allan B. Young (Christchurch), Miss Ethel Churchill and Mr. D. Budgo (Dunedin), Miss Ethel Lissack and Mr. J. C. Bell (lower Ilutt), Miss L. Prichard (Melbourne) and Mr. S. 11. Osborn (Dunedin), Jfiss Irene Jameson and Mr. Julius M'L. Ilogben (Wellington); Miss Iv. Major and Mr. P. S. Gardner (Auckland), Miss R. L. Meenken and Mr. Marcus St. John (Masterton), Miss Maria A. Fix and Mr. Francijj R. Picot (Wellington), Miss Mable St. Clair Pole and Mr. Eric Lyon (Otaki), Miss Eva Russull and Mr. B. Williams (Wellington), Miss Mollie Flux and Mr. Claud Smith (Wellington), Miss Lillian King (Dunedin), and Mr. Allan li. Young (Christchurch), Mrs. G. Helen Gard'ner and Mr. P. Devereux (Dunedin), Mrs. A. Griffiths and Mr. Hamilton Gray (Dunedin), Miss Aggie Samson and Mr. P. V. Blandford (Wellington). Selected for final test—Miss Tlielma Brown aud Mr. A. B. Young, Miss Lilian Prichard and Mr. S. H. Osborn. Honourable mention—Miss Lulu Arnold and Mr. Slyfield, Mrs. G. H. Gard'ner and Mr. P." Devereux, Mrs. A. Griffiths and Mr. Hamilton Gray, Miss Aggie Samsoil and Mr. F. V. Blandford. Final Test—Miss Prichard and Mr. Osborn, 1 (13t marks); Miss Brown and Mr. Young, 2 (108 marks). In this contest tho judge (Mr. Baeyertz) remarked at the conclusion of the morning session that the dialogue had given them some very effective Portias yoked to ineffective Bassanios.' Sometimes it was an effective Bassanio and an ineffective Portia. The reward was given on the aggregate performance of the two—tho combined work of tho speakers. Subsequently, in the evening, he stated that most of the performers had missed the dignity, sweetness, and tenderness of Portia, and tho gallantry of Bassanio. Tho first prize was won very easily by Miss Prichard and Mr. Osborn, and the second by Jfiss Brown and Mr. Young. RECITATION (BOYS UNDER U). Recitation (boys under 14)— Tost Piece, "Tlio Three Bells" (Whittier). First prize, silver medal; socond prize, bronze medal; third prize, certificate.—Entrants —Henry E. Tonks (Wellington), Alfred Lancaster (ICilbirnie), Winton Brown (Otaki), Leonard Power (Wellington), Cvril t. Rishworth (Lower Ilutt). Results—Leonard Power (Wellington), 1;; Winton Brown (Otaki), 2; Cyril L. Rishworth, 3. TENOR SOLO. Tenor solo—Test Piece, "Dalla Sua Pace," from Mozart's "Don Giovanni." First prize, .£2; second prize, XI; third prize, certificate.—Entrants—lf. P. Green (Masterton), 11. Phipps (Wellington), T. D. Collins (Wellington). J. Cathcart (Johnsonvillc), G. F. Brisbane (Dunedin), J. B. Bowman (Petone), R. Porteous (Wellington), W. Aspinall (Auckland), 0. D. Avison (Hastings). Selected for final test—H. P. Green, T. D. Collins, and W. Aspinall. Pinal Test—Mr. W. Aspinall, of Auckland, 1 (122 marks); Mr. T. D. Collins, of Wellington, 2 (10f marks); Mr. H. Green, of Masterton, 3 (100 marks). It was a solo, said Mr. Baeyertz, which called for suavity, elegance, delicacy, and emotion. That night they had heard one very good reading indeed (from Mr. Aspinall). In the afternoon .Mr. Green had sung in English, and that night in Italian. It was very difficult to chango from Knglisli to Italian at such short

l'lret prize, silver medal; second prize, bronzo medal; third prize, certificate.— Entrants—M. Sulfleet (Wellington), Agnes P. Jennings (Wellington), Dorothy Jones (Wellington), Mabel Murray (Wellington), Georgine Uunsford Barker (Christchurch), Isabel Grant (Christchurch), Gladys Sybil Palmer (Christchurch), Ethel Lissack (Wellington), Mrs. Scott Canavan (Blenheim), Plora Sutl erland (Wanganni), Vera C. Edwards (Masterton). Selected for final test—Misses Isabel Grant, Plora Sutherland, and Georgine Barker. Pinal Test—.Miss Grant, of Christchurch, 1 (12G marks); Miss Plora Sutherland, of U'augauni, 2 (122 marks); Miss Barker, of Christchurch, II (120 marks). In delivering judgment, Mr, Baeyertz remarked that in this pretty chansonel tu one looked for smoothness, facility, piquancy, naivete, and expression. They had heard three good readings from genuine amateurs, who had never received a fee. Tliero was a lack of piquancy, but the winner had, on tho whole, given the liost reading. Mfss Barker did not sing so well, although she had been placed first on the afternoon's performance. THE EVENING PERFORMANCE. THE "BECHSTEIN" BATTLE AND THE BARD. Every seat in tho Town Hall was occupied last evening, when one of the mast interesting programmes yet submitted in connection with the competitions was heard. The chief attraction was the final contest for the Bechstcin piano, presented to tho winner of the solo piano recital, a class which attracted entrants from Auckland in tho north to Gore in the south, !»tb extremes producing prizewinners. The studies set wero Beethoven's "Kondo a Cappricio," a piece which called for facility, polish, daintiness,- and clean lingering. The standard reached by these leit in the final was high—higher than most people anticipated, and tho performances of the gifted trio, Misses Rene Queree (of Wellington) and Madeline Webb (of Auckland), and Mr. Baxter Bucklov (of Gore) were heard wifll pleasure. The "Bechstcin" went to the latter gentleman, who gave a highly artistic performance of both pieces, rich in its variety and breadth of expression, and rich in tone and musicianly effect. Though lie scored a victory, it is a matter for doubt or of opinion if Mr. Baxter's performance was even four marks better than lliss Quereo's, whose brilliance, temperament, and mastery of technique as displayed in the "Rondo" placed her just as high as tho winner in tho estimation of several keen critics. Miss Madelino tVebb played tho "Hondo" too speedily, so fast indeed that some of file notes lest their individuality. She showed great digital dexterity, and made light of tho technical difficulties of tho work. Her touch is light and dainty, and the tone was correspondingly small. Sho showed to better advantage in the "Berceuse," which was played with much delicate elegance and considerable feeling. The same thin tono was noticeable in this piece. The performances in the Shakespearean duologue, "Bassanio's Choico of the Caskets," from "Tho Merchant of Venice," was given a theatrical touch by the lowering of tho house lights and the training of a calcium tight from the gallery—a doubtful innovation. In this olass Miss Lilian Prichard and Mr. Osborn gave much the better reading of tho two couples left in tho final. Tho young lady's elocution was marked by lively intelligence and grace.. In her anxiety to act every minute of the scene, sho rather missed tho dignity and sweetness of Portia, and would do' better if she restricted her powers of gesticulation. Miss Brown suffered oven more in that regard. Her Bassanio was lacking in spirit, and chose tile casket as if he wero selecting a Christmas box for a friend. He showed no trace of joy at the result of his choice, and was' calm and stolid throughout. Mr. Osborn was a much mora intelligent Bagnio, acting with restraint, and giving better value in vocal and facial expression. The tenor solo "Dalla Sua Pace," from Mozart's opera "Don Giovanni," found the weak spot in the tenor division. The winner, Mr. Asninall, was much the best of tho'throe. Cut ho was a good deal short of ideal. Mr. Green was qbviou«ly lutskv and hoarse, and went a little flat in places. .Mr. Collins's interpretation we,s good, but lie sings "small" at tho back of his throat, and has little vocal quality to work on. The soprano soloists gave fair readings of that charming old ballad. "My Mother Bids mo Bind my Ifair," and tho judgment was Mr. Baeyertz was quite sound. TO-DAY'S PROGRAMME. To-day's programme promises to bo quite as interesting as its predecessors. The varietv of the competitions is charmin". The'following is the programme:— At 9 a.m.—Sight reading (lady and gentleman). At lfl.iJO a.m.—Sight reading (boys and girls, under 14 y«<rs). At 11 a.m.—Sight reading (boys and girls, under 1(1 years). At 11 a.m.—Piano solo (under 14). Test piece, "Kondo in C Major" (Beethoven). At 11.30 a.m.—ltecitation (girls under U voars). At 2 p.m.—Bass solo. Test piece, "Vulcan's Song" (Gounod). At 3.15 p.m.—Song (lady or gentleman). Own selection. In the evening, tho programme will be constructed from the pick of those competing during tho day, and there will be an impromptu speech competition, for which eighteen entries have been received. This form of contest has always proved highly entertaining elsewhere, and is sure to produce a good deal of healthy amusement this evening. WANGANUI INTERESTED. Our special correspondent at Wanganui wires that as the result of a well-attended public meeting, a Musical and Elocutionary Competitions Society lias been formed ill Wanganui, and n committee set up to draft rules and programme for the society's initial venture.