DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 11609, 20 June 1902, Page 3

DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

It was a particularly good concert that the society gave in too Agricultural Hall last evening—a concert that exhibited proofs of thorough preparation. A point about the preparations, noted at the outset, was that the platform was nicely decorated with flags, thus forming a pretty background. 'Hie subscribers appreciate attention to such auxilary considerations. Musically, too, evidence wm fortbeom-ng from the start that the concert had been properly worked up. It was a pleasure to listen to the spirited and masterly playing of the National Anthem with which the concert opened as a fitting recognition of Coronation month. Very often, unfortunately, ’ God save the K.ng ’ is played in a fumbling and mechanical manner, half the performers composing their parts as they go along. Last night the grand old hymn was efficiently played, 'then we had a remarkably stirring rendering of Eilenbcrg’s majestic ‘ Coronation March ’ —a composition that in its simple grandeur reminds one of the Handelian style. As outstanding features of the playing of this piece we may ment.on the pencec attack, the faultless tunc, the proper prominence given to the inner parts, and the beautiful organ tone in the passages where the brasses are rung off; and in all respects save one—viz., that tiie fundamental part was occasionally a little too strong for the violins-—it was a singularly successful performance, consider ct by many as not only the gem of the evening but absolutely the best tiling the society have done for the past year or two. The audience expressed their appreciation in a hearty and sustained round of ap plause. Two Hungarian dances by Brahms formed the next selection, and of these the first was undoubtedly the best. The pecu- ; liar and characteristic rhythm never for a moment got the band into a tangle, and the playing was not only mean, but marn.c.l by nice accord as to expression, the performers listening to one another and all being in agreement, whilst it was here.n noticed agam that certain instruments which usually are more seen than heard ■were doing their little bit effectively, and the second violins were for once in a way displaying really good form instead of merely going through the motions. This last-mentioned improvement, by the way, was noticed all the rest of the evening. As to Haydn’s ‘No. 7 Symphony,’ the presto seemed to want more practice, but the adagio was given, in a most satisfactory manner, and the only improvement to be hoped for next time is that the cornet soloist will reduce the strength of his occasional contribution to the accompaniment. The ‘ Dcr Fre.schutz ’ overture, played in its entirety, provided another treat. The solo work assigned to cornet, clarionet, and oboe was done tastefully, the horns were of special value, the drums effective without being clamorous, the violins on both sides in exceptional form, and but for a little sign of hestation at the return to the C key and momentary symptoms of overeagerness on the part of one or two players —pardonable faults—the rendering of the overture was really most praiseworthy and a credit to all concerned. We were not so much impressed with the playing of toe ‘Dorothy’ selection. One of the defects which will no doubt be cured hereafter was the conflict as to time between the soloist and the accompanying performers in the euphonium solo As a matter of opinion, we think that Mr O’Brien's was the correct idea on that point, though, to mention another occurring thought, it. is open to question whether he was right in making such use of the dotted notes. The feature of the selection was the clean cornet solo work. By way of conclusion the orchestra gave one of Keler Bela’s best waltzes, and this brought the players back to their true form, the waltz being listened to with a ; great deal of pleasure. Everyone present ! was highly delighted with the concert as a whole, full of gratitude towards the orchestra, and properly recognising the very valuable services of the hon. conductor, Mr Jas. Coombs, who must have spent a lot of time in training the members for this concert. The singers were Mrs J. H. H. Hutton (a debutante, we understand) and Mr R. H. Bryant. Mrs Hutton has a musical mezzo soprano voice that has been well trained and is of peculiar service in the lower portions of the stave, and her singing of ‘ Beloved, it is morn ’ and ‘ Life’s lullabv ’ thoroughly earned the recalls that consti- , tuted her immediate reward. Mr Bryant did not sing so well as when he first appeared. He seemed to be nervous, and his songs were not wisely chosen. Those who were hearing this gentleman for the first time last night have no idea of what a good j voice he has. Mr Barth played the pianoforte accompaniments