SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Evening Star, Issue 21231, 12 October 1932, Page 6

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Another of the welcome concerts by the above orchestra will be given on Wednesday, October 19, in His Majesty’s Theatre, when, an outstanding programme of orchestral masterpieces will bo heard for the first time in Dunedin. This combination, which is under the direction of Mons. De Rose, has as an ideal the performing of an outstanding symphony .at each of its concerts, and for this occasion has chosen Rimsky-Korsak off’s ‘ Antar,’ which has not previously been performed in Dunedin. The initial performance of this symphony took place under the direction of Hans Bulow at a concert of the Russian Musical Socity at Leningrad on Janvuary 24, 1882. It is said that no work of RimskyKorsakoff’s ever received so enthusiastic a first performance, and the great Russian composer achieved a veritable triumph with it from the very start. The story of ‘ Antar ’ is as follows; Antar rescues the fairy Glul-Nazar (as a gazelle) from the pursuit of a giant bird. As a reward she promises him three great delights of 1 ife—revenge, power, and love. These episodes form the basis of the four movements, of which the finale is the hiest—the exceedingly skilful combination of the fairy theme and an Oriental dance. The fairy theme is a leading motive, which appears near the beginning and runs through all the movements. Other compositions, also new to Ditnedin, will grace 'the programme. Mmifa interest will attach to the appearance of Mrs B. R. Nees, who will perhaps be better remembered as Miss Koa Oliiver. This talented pianiste will give, with orchestral accompaniment Liszt’s ‘ Hungarian Fantasia,’ and this item should bo - quite outstanding. The vocalists will bo Madame Annette Chapman (soprano) and Mr Arthur LungVpy (baritone), and the names of th»ese two artists are sufficient to guarantee pleasure to all. The plan is at Bcigg’s.