THE CHILD GROWN UP

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 103, 4 May 1931, Page 4

THE CHILD GROWN UP

MR. DE MAUNY'S ORCHESTRA

Truly reimirkiiblo progress has boon iiiiido by the Wellington Symphony Orchestra in its 1-M'k'i: uxisltuu-.e. Three or four years ngo, when i\l.r. Loon do 'Mutiny introduced Jiis puny clrlkt in tlio ■ Town J1.a.11 Concert Chamber, it consisted,, Jjiuinly ol: strings, formed i'rorii hi,s ■ ti.VvJi. pupils. The inTiiiLt has g'ruwu apace, iit intellect as well u« in strength; the swaddling clothes have been cast asidoj the stago ol' adolescence was passed last year when ihu growing student gave sumo study to modern classical music; and iv its Jirst concert ol: tho 3931 nonsuit, given sit the Town Hall on Saturday night, the orchestra was seen and hoard iv full maturity. There can bo no doubt that both in tho material'o(: the programme* and the oxcellont manner of its presentation, the occasion was the most auspicious to date. Mr. do' Mauny. may not have expected great things ol; the orchestra in the performance; of the Brahms Third Symphony, but apparI'cntly inspired by his own confidence, his -players gave an altogether creditable reading ul:'that difficult work, ami followed -up their success with a spirited .execution of: ItimsUy-Korsalcov's Spanish Caprice, in. which even greater cnll is rondo on technical ability. Much of! Brahms' music is not readily appreciated at iirsb hearing, probably becauso 'Hhe last of tho classics" strove to depict the profoundness of his inlibroiitly serious thoughts in profound, rather than, pieturoscjue music. Ho thought and wrote'on tho highest plane, and made no concession to popular taste, Nevertheless, the warm reception of tho symphony on Saturday ovening made, it clear that there wore few present who wore iuiapp.rccia.tivc, unless the, applause was intended solely in. recognition of tho orchestra's . effort.' .Further opportunities to hear tho same work—this was understood to be the first iv AVollington —will lead, to a bettor understanding of its inner meaning. With tho orchestra's work little fault/could bo found.; weaknesses of execution which have been previously noted wcro infrequent, and all sections gave good account of ■themsolves. The wood wind in particular impressed as they had not done before, and the horns'wore'.magnificent. Brahms 'intricate orchestral devices, more noticeable in this third symphony than in many* others of his compositions, were attacked as with tho coufidence of experienced players, and there was ready.response .at all times to tho baton.' T.ho orchestra, rose to its greatest heights, in the inassivoness of the fourth movement, which was a series of dramatic 'thrills. Music of a .more spectacular nature Was hoard ■'In the Kimsky-Korsakoy Capriccip-Espagnole—a musical kaleidoscope -in a Spanish atmosphorc written in tho composer's typical descriptive- stylo. Mr. do ' Mauny and his pla.y : ers''trcatod it with the abandon and vigorous 'rhythmic effect is demands, and painted the picture so vividly that tho closing section of the work had to bo repeated. The item was iicitable for some outstanding pieces., of solo work for load violin, 'cello, Jluto, clarinet,' and cor anglais. Tho programme opened with tho.wellknown Hiikoezy inarch by Berlioz, and closed-with '.Coleridge Taylor's delightful incidental music to "Othello." The bass . section produced .almost perfect, tone ■ in.' the march, but was inclined to be too ..liberal with it to allow- the string, detail-to "eomo through." Miss Hilda Chuclloy (contralto) mid Mr." Claudo Tauucr.. ('cello) artistically assisted the oruhestra. Miss ChMloy presented an interesting bracket of Bachmaninov songs, "Tho Soldier's Wife"-and 6'Spring Waters," revealing, the master pianist's accorophshmcnt'.in:;i iriedUmi of expression ; in wluck.lio'js-noli so -well known as at the koyb6ard.;M.iS3 .Qhudley.gave, charming intcrprctatipp ?oi! pach', con trusting tho s6rrp\vlul'v''iii9o.d:,Voj! ; ;tiho first, with the Muttai^viiiitQ/fli'ihQ^oeond. As au.qn(;oro':;'numbcf she sang "Silver," by Armstrong Gi.bl>. Madam de Mauny was the accompanist . ...■■. '.Supported by reduced orchestra, Mr. 'Tanner gave the-Samt-Saens. 'cello con-ccrta-Jp--i^fiiior,'(Op. 33). The bril•liap^KqfHhe'wrk'Wis depicted more by^KeSorchostra than by the soloist, who gave a technically correct but somewhat restrained interpretation. \ freer and moro animated treatment .vfould havo added much to the interest for, the listener. v