SYMPHONY CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 256, 25 July 1930, Page 4

SYMPHONY CONCERT

Tschaikovsky’s Fifth Although only established for a couple of years, the Wellington Symphony Orchestra is doing sound educative work that is much appreciated by lovers of this highest form bf music. Aware of the handicaps to be overtaken, the weaknesses to be “arranged,” it is mainly those people who have heard much symphony music, who arc most appreciative of the work Hr. Leon de Mauny is doing in this city, and which is only an indication of what could be attained were the proper material readily obtainable. As it is, the orchestra is doing uncommonly good work, all things considered. Last evening’s programme was made interesting by the inclusion of the fifth symphony by Tschaikowsky, secured by Mr. de Mauny on his recent trip to England, and which was played for the first time in Wellington. It is the fifth of six symphonies, and was composed at a time when the composer feared that the creative faculty was deserting him, but when actually he was approaching the apex of his fame in his own country. The symphony, is us with most of Tschaikovsky’s, works strongly dramatic, and yet is absolutely characteristic of the man and his mood, ranging in feeling from the deepest melancholy, us witness the sustained / gloom at the opening of the first movement to passages of martial exaltation, in which the composer makes exhilirating employment of the brass in tumultuous ensembles of a most exciting character. Musically it is interesting to note how ingeniously the “Icit motif” is developed —to find it sustained in one form or another through the movement. This was made ever sb clear in the beautiful second movement, in which the motif is played by the French born, is taken up by the oboes, the clarinet, and finally the strings. The third movement was not so happily played by the Orchestra. In this the scherzo fakes, waltz form of a not very engaging character, which lends to a rather disjointed encounter in which all seclions of the orchestra are employed in difficult relation. The final movement made ample compensation. After a quiet opening the music becomes festal in character-—the changing rhythm of the dance banishes all gloom, the orchestration becomes rich and varied, and so to a crashing finale of a particularly stirring nature. Tim applause which followed was well deserved by the conductor, and his players. . It is to be sincerely hoped that this symphony will be heard again, as it is only by hearing such works again and again that the proper standard of appreciation can be attained. In the second half the orchestra played the overture to Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni,” very well indeed; the Haydn "Concerto in D Major” was.played with delightful expression, with Mr. Claude Tanner ns the ’cello soloist, Then followed the prelude to "Tristan and Isolde” (Wagner), a mosaic of the closest and most intricate orchestral harmony, mid finally was played in the happiest. spirit the "La Source” bullet music by Delibes, delightful in ‘its vivacity mid melodic charm. Among those present were their Excellencies the Governor-General, Lord Blcdisloo and Liidy Bledisloe, and the Mayor (Mr. G. A; Troup) nnd Mrs. Troup.