PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3054, 16 April 1917, Page 7

PROFESSIONAL ORCHESTRA

.■•; A DELIGHTFUL CONCERT. The esteem in which the Wellington Professional Orchestra is held was shown.last evening by an audience that filled every seat in the dress circle and stalls of His Majesty's Theatre, and if the writer be any judge of impressions, the orchestra will not lack similar, tributes throughout the season that was inaugurated last evening. Whilst the'orchestra is not as complete as it might be in ..its establishment, the balance of ,tone is. well sustained, it was always in tune, and the degree of finish which added so markedly to one's enjoyment of the music Selected ' was excellent. The programme ' embodied none other than good music,' yet was well within the range or appreciation of all classes of music-lovers. It included the* wellknown overture to ."Maritana," which embraces'bo many of the charming melodies which throbbed through the whole world over a quarter of a century ago, and are still _played and sung over ,and over again without producing satiety. Once more a large audience was stirred by the strong emotionalism of Tsohaikowsky's ' "Marche.,'. Slav," which is almost,as interesting, if not so showy, as the composer's "1812" symphony. The "Marche," which opens with'.a sad, wailing cadence,-is punctuated with , exciting crescendos that play upon one's emotions in a most-remarkable manner. There is a gay dance relief to,the sombre hues of the majestically sad music, a captivating trio for the oboe, clarionet, and flute, and some' tricky work for the trumpets. One very fine effect is brought about by the triumphal intro-: duction of the National Hymn given out "by the brass and bass section m counter with a f swinging melody played by-the strings. The "Marche" is a difficult/work for all/concerned, and, as far as was , possible, it was done full justice to. Dvorak's "Humoresque" was delightfully played, and such was the spontaneity, verve, and polish, that characterised the playing of Mendelssohn's ' eternally. charming "Spring Song" that'an encore had to be conceded. Tlie pretty "Flower Suite" of B'enyon improves on acquaintance, and is going to _ he; among ..the most popular of the lighter pieces in the orchestra's library. A fantasia on Verdi's opera "Aida," in 4 which the. prolifio Italian. composer is probably, to- be found in his most majestical mood, and free of those cloying sweetnesses of some of his earlier and still popular operasi' The fantasia is richly orches-, trated, and_ concludes witb. the famous march/a stirring and elevating-excerpt from this notable opera. Daintiness, beautifully shaded modulation, and dash were attributes which made the sparkling".'"Pique Dame" (Von Suppe) overture one. of the most enjoyable items on the programme. Mr. Herbert Bloy, who conducted, and the. members of the orchestra, are to be complimented on the results achieved last; ■evening. . . . .