STUDENTS’ ORCHESTRA

Evening Star, Issue 21890, 29 November 1934, Page 2

STUDENTS’ ORCHESTRA

Gtyfi S EWDYABLE RECITAL The “ recital ” by the Students’ Orchestral Club in Begg’s Concert Chamber last night was rather a .misnomer, su» only four selections were played by the orchestra on a lengthy programme. The large audience, filling the chamber to overflowing' would have been more satisfied bad the programme been not so varied and greater scope had been . given to the orchestra. Mr J. A. Wallace has improved the orchestra, which gave an enjoyable presentation. The various sections were balanced, but the braes was not up to the standard of the strings and woodwind. There was a tendency to take all items at a slow tempo, too slow to give the best shading. Keler-Bela’s overture, • Lustspiel,’ made a happy opening. The general effect was good. The strings were at all times balanced, and the flute work was refined, but the cornet was flat. The rhythm of ICreisler s ■- ‘ Liebesleid ’ was preserved, the grace of the old Viennese dance being maintained by good combination. The clarinet blurred an otherwise very satisfying performance. Schubert’s ‘ Fantasia was the least pleasing of the orchestra’s items, but the-final number, ‘ The Great Little Army’ (Alford), was stirringly played. Compositions by Dunedin musicians were a feature of the programme. Mr J. A. Wallace (violin).- Miss Brunton ' (organ),- sind Mrs Wallace (piano) combined in ‘ Melodia Religiosa,’ by Signor Squarise. The deep reverence of the composition was faithfully , presented, and the trio’s combination was excellent. - Mr Wallace has . seldom v played better, and the piano work was fine, but the organ was rather wispy in .its tone and volume. The audience appreciated the performance, and Sfgnor Squarise was called on to acknowledge the applause. Later, Mr Wallace gave a finished performance of three locally r eomposed violin solos,Old, Dance ’ (Miss Mama Service), ‘ Srfier.zando’ (Miss N. Hobson), and ‘ Spanish Serenade 5 (Mrs Wallace). The compositions have merit and charm, and their presentation showed Mr Wallace’s sincerity in promoting the study of music among his club members. Miss Phoebe Melrose’s soprano voice was best suited in ‘The Lass With the Delicate Air’ of her four numbers. Mr Q. W. Johnstone’s interpretations and presentations of six songs were refined. His numbers were ‘ Sombre Woods ’ (Lnlly), ‘Sunday’ (Brahms), . ‘The Miller’s Song ’ (Schubert); ‘’Eleanore ’ and ‘My Love’s, an Arbutus ’ (Cole-ridge-Taylor), and ‘ Snowdrops ’• (Stanford), Miss Elvira Wycherley’s ’cello solos were delightful. They, were 1 Gmtarre ’ (Moskowski) and ‘ Orientalc ’ and ‘ Oui.’ Perhaps Miss Wycherley could have speeded the tempo a little, but there was no doubt of her skill.