STUDENTS’ ORCHESTRAL CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 22797, 4 November 1937, Page 13

STUDENTS’ ORCHESTRAL CLUB

CONCLUDING CONCERT OF SEASON The fifth season of the Students’ Orchestral Club closed with a concert in Begg’s last evening. Mr J. A. Wallace arranged a popular programme that held a wide appeal, and the orchestra invested it with a lively interest. This combination cannot be heard at its best in a small chamber, and a change for the next season would seem to be a necessary move. There are. many young players in this orchestra, and they are enjoying, in a more advanced stage, of course, the pleasure and experience that have dime the way. of the Junior Orchestra, They have the, added advantage of being steadied by a number of more mature instrumentalists. Last night’s was the eighth concert the orchestra has given, and its,general standard was sustained in a programme that was well within its scope. The orchestra opened with Egener’s rousing ‘ Grand Stand March,’ and an old favourite in Suppe’s ‘ Pique Dame ’ overture followed. The first and second movements of the Schubert ‘ Unfinished ’ Symphony were the most ambitious presentation? of the evening, and featured some excellent ’cello work. Mr Wallace held the orchestra together well, and both movements were given full treatment. A e Mikado ’ selection and the lesser-known Russian suite by _ Meyer-Helmud rounded off the orchestral programme. Miss Nancy Hobson’s viola solos were of particular interest. _ For some inexplicable reason the viola is a neglected instrument, and has very few solo exponents. Apart from Lionel Tertis, it is difficult to recall the name of any celebrated player. In Dunedin solo performances have been extremely, rare, and it was consequently a great pleasure to hear Miss Hobson play. She gave the andante from the Goiterman Concerto with the orchestra, and followed this up with the GlazounovKreisler ‘ Spanish Serenade.’ It was a stimulating performance. The other soloists were Miss Bessie Gallien and Mr Asquith Thomson. Miss _ Gallien sang several difficult soprano airs with fluency and clarity, the effect of the Benedict ‘ Capinera ’ being enhanced by Mr F. Bell’s flute obbligato. Mr Thomson is a bass with a rich and lovely quality in his lo,wer_ register. One of , his encores was Carrie JacohsBond’s * Last Long Rest,’ which has not been heard for many years. The accompaniments were played by Misses Eunice Steadman, Rona Thomson, and Kathleen Allan.