ALL BRASS

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 104, 29 October 1925, Page 5

ALL BRASS

AUSTRALIAN SILVER BAND

A great musical treat was provided last night by. the Australian SiX vcr Band at the Grand Opera House. The band is on tour of the world,, to meet the best of instrumentalists in competitions. It is conducted by Mr. Albert IT. Bailc, Into of the Newcastle Steel Works Band, and its chief cornet soloist, llr. A. .P. Stcnder, deputy- conductor was also a member of the Steel Works Band. The audience assembled to hear the band last eveningwas not largo, but it was warmly appreciative of the fine programme provided and the high chai-aeter of the performance in ensemble and in solo work. Tor the benefit of those who may not have given much attention to the matter, it is stated that the brass band differs from the British military band ia that it does not include clarinets, oboes, and .other tvoiJdcn instruments. If it desires t? obtain the delicato effects that the wood wiud supplies it must get them by the use of brass. Herein lies the tost of the proficiency of the players of brass. If they can produce or closely approximate the beautiful results derived from the incorporation of wooden instruments, and avoid the blare and stridency usually associated with brass bands, then they are entitled to respect and commendation for artistic playing. The Australian Silver Band last night gavn abundant proof that it can so piay as at times to suggest the work of a rymphony orchestra, at times that of a fully equipped military band. For this admirable achievement the highest praise is duo to Mr. Baile, and after him to his band, every member of which appeared to bo an expert, or rather an artist. Incidentally the composition of the band was 1 as follows: Solo cornets, 4; soprano cornet, 'repiano cornet, rcpiano flugel liorn, second cornet, second ■ flugel horn, third flugel horn, solo . ton or horn, second and third tenor horns, first and second baritones, solo and second euphonium, solo trombone, second trombone, bass trombone, EE flat basses, 2; BB flat basses, 2; xylophone iiml tympani, and other instruments of percussion. The programme opened with "William Tell" overture, in which "the storm" was

beautifully played and tho "Banzc dcs Vachcs" faultlessly rendered by the leading eornetipt. * ".Nfc-ircr, My God, to Thee" followed as an encore. As in ■ this so in the star piece of. tho evening, an .arrangement of "Lohengrin," tho attack and finish, and the perfect tone, wore conspicuous throughout. Tho band gave a masterly exposition of light and shade, working up to magnificent cli waxes, and shading its diminuendoes to less than a whisper. If, sometimes obfaiucd effects recalling the tones of an organ played by an artist; Mr. linile was ■ extremely fortunate in his soloists in the Wagner selection for the competent manner in which they played . the passages allotted to euphonium, horn, cornel;, and trombone. The applause was loud and long at the close of the "Lohengrin" num-ber,-and fully deserved.

The soloists were: Mr. Arthur Stene'er, comctist, in. "Titaiiia" (Rimmer), an exacting; piece, played by an artist; Mr. C, Collins, trombonist, in "Lend iMc - Your Aid," from "Keinc dc Siiba" (Gounod), was recalled after a competent rendering of the solo, and cleverly played a humorous "slide" selection. Mr. Harold Eeid, xylophonist, gave a clover exposition in a piece called "Coaxing the rhino," but made a deep impression by his perfect, harmony (played with four sticks, two. in each land) of an arrangement of "The Last ltose of Summer." The other pieces .wore a magnificently rendered arrangement of Gilbert and Sullivan melodies, descriptive inarch, "Red, Whito, and Blue," and "United Kingdom Fantasia." The Silver Baud is a fine and highly competent, combination of players, under perfect discipline, each member realising Ms responsibilities, and cheerfully disehnrging-. the-m. Mr. Baile's outstanding personality and sound musicianship dominates the whole. The baud will perform every night this week.