REGIMENTAL BAND

Evening Star, Issue 20019, 9 November 1928, Page 2

REGIMENTAL BAND

FINE CONCERT PERFORMANCE Round playing and satisfying interpretations characterised the concert performance of the Band of the Ist Battalion of the Otago Regiment in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening. The band was in excellent form, and played a wide range of popular pieces. The tone was invariable full,, and a good balance was maintained in each item. The bandsmen wore attentive to the baton oi Lieutenant L. 0. Aston, who showed commendable discretion in guiding them through several difficult pieces. The hand was frequently encored. and the audience showed the utmost appreciation of the line programme presented. The opening march. ‘New Colonial’ .(Hall), was given with verve and precision. ■ The graceful waltz, Love’s Last Word’, (Cremicux), was ui attractive contrast The famous ‘lßl2’ overture ot Tsohaikowsky was accorded vivid and realistic treatment, and the atmosphere ol tins remarkable descriptive piece was well brought out. The Scottish patrol The Gathering o’ the Clans' (Williams), was a deservedly popular item,- A selection from the Gilbert and Sullivan opera ‘ Patience ’ was brightly “played, and the band proved fully equal to the demands of Alford’s evcr-popular * Lightning Switch.’ i’wo lively marches, ‘ JOl Albanico ’ (Javaloyes) and the familiar ' Entry of the Gladiators,’ and the fascinating ‘La Paloma ’ of Vradier concluded the band programme. Sergeant Donaldson played ‘ The Rosary ’ (Nevin) as a cornet' solo. His expression and execution were eminently sound in every respect, and the tone was even and well shaded. Bandsman Gibbons provided a novelty in the form of a sprightly piccolo sold, ‘ Birds of tho Forest ’ (Adams),; playing with skill and line effect. ..Miss Maizie M'Dcnakl played two highly technical pianoforte transcriptions ot the quartet from ' Rigoletto ' and Schubert’s ‘Hark Hark, the Lark,' with artistry. Another distinctly pleasing item was Mr Jack Clark’s singing of l On tho Road to Mandalay.' Mr Clark sang with animation and tine, open expression, the piece suiting his fine voice admirably.