ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 21091, 2 May 1932, Page 2

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

FIRST CONCERT OF SEASON Consistency in performance lias been one of the most pleasant features of the concerts of the Dunedin Orchestral Society in recent years. If there has been any variation it lias been in the elevation of the tone of the concerts that follows development of musicianship. The orchestra is now more than ever a solid and competent band of instrumentalists with much of its conductor’s confidence and spirit. Mr Walmsley is an exceedingly alert director, rightly intolerant of orchestral passengers or laggards. Ho is quickly alive to the possibilities of his music and obtains from his players immediate and intelligent responses. It was an attractive programme he presented on Saturday evening, having a catholic appeal in an interesting range. The concert opened rather amusingly. In the introduction to the overture to Gounod’s opera, ‘Mirella,’ there occurs a long sustained note not unlike the chord that announces the National Anthem. The audience, obedient toits loyal instinct, rose as one man; (This recalls the disconcerting procedure invariably adopted by Mischa Levitzka, who commenced his concerts with two verses of the King. Not anticipating the second, the audience always sat down.) ’ The overture to ‘ Mirella ’ was delightfully played. The introduction was smootlily given out, and the more lively rhythms were clearly and brightly sustained. The overture had spontaneity and colour, two admirable qualities made manifest many times during the evening. The Mozart ‘ Jupiter ’ symphony was a performance of charm. Mr Walmsley has an obvious delight in Mozart, and through him audiences have come to without reservation to a similar sentiment. The orchestra caught the delicacy and freshness of the music remarkably well, the graceful lines of the symphony being beautifully accentuated. Sir Edward German’s* ‘ Tempter ’ suite was highly interesting in its style and development, a striking example of the modern school of music. The three movements were clearly contrasted and played with some power. The ‘ Rienzi ’ overture of Wagner was interpreted with a fire and energy that gave the music vivid meaning. The orchestra had . clear conception of its value and caught its sweep. Based upon themes taken from the opera itself, it is intended to establish in the listener’s mind the atmosphere of the music-drama to which it is the prelude. That effect was achieved. In lighter vein came the ‘ Girofle-Girofla ’ selection by X. Lecocq, comic opera music happily interpreted. It had vioacity and variety, and was immediately popular. The programme concluded with the stirring 4 Coronation ’ march by Eilenberg. The orchestra combined very effectively, all through the evening. The strings were steady to Mr Wallace’s lead, and were generally clean, the brass work was excellent, and a very noticeable improvement was shown by the wood-wind instruments. Mr Walmsley has succeeded in eliminating many of .the ragged edges that marred previous concerts. The vocalists were Miss Dorothy Mackav and Mr Denis Dowling, of Ranfurly. * It was Miss Mackay’s first appearance at a concert of this nature, and she created an extremely favourable impression. She has fluency and sincerity to express an attractive voice, and will without doubt develop with experience. Miss Mackay sang ‘ Should Ho Upbraid ’ (Bishop), ‘ Little Boy Blue ’ (the ballad that John M‘Cormack sang so beautifully in ‘ Song o’ My Heart ’), ‘So Sweet is She ’ and ‘ Phillis was a Faire Maide ’ (two lovely old English ballads), and ‘ O Can Ye Sew Cushions.’ This latter old air, an encore, was sung with such engaging charm 'that Miss Mackay was brought back to sing ‘ As I Sat By My Spinning Wheel.’ It was a pleasure to hear Mr Dowling again. This young baritone has a maturity beyond his years. His resonantly clear quality was first heard in the" exacting _ ‘ Rage, Thou Angry Storm,’ by Benedict. The Schubert *‘ Wraith ’ tested his lower register. and then, as an encore, came the Cowen setting of ‘ Onaway, Awake, Beloved.’ Later Mr Dowling sang ‘ Why Do the Nations ’ to an orchestral accompaniment. Such a group, one would imagine, to ho qn ordeal for any young singer, hut Mr Dowling acquitted himself creditably indeed. He has an exceptional voice and an exceptional technique. The accompaniments were plaved by Mrs Walmsley and Mrs W. Reid.