ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1922, Page 6

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

‘‘The best,’’ was the general verdict e:.. :.’ sed by the huge audience', pre , sent ut the Greymouth Orchestra Society's List concert, which was given last night. The Opera House w.->s packed from floor to ceiling, mil th? large audience, coupled with their cordial appreciation of the whole programme, must have gladdened the hearts of tlm members of the society. and their veti run ciiuil net or, Mr Georg-. 1 Mo>s. We notice, on examining the back of hist night’s programme, that Greymouth Ims u more pi:, i. tic:’l "way of its appreciation than by mere applause only, for the list of honorary numbers shows a considerable additimi. We are also informed that since tluit list, was printed, the number has been further augmented. This ought to be a t estimoni:: I worth far more than' words, since it is the pine tical evidence of interest taken by the conimnnity in the society, and the good results it has achieved in the object for which it exists, namely the encouragement of interest in music in Greymouth. At a previous concert, the conductor annon need. that as the honorary membership had increased, the society was now enabled to go to the expense of bringing lalenl from the larger towns, to provide a part of the programme. He was glad to have made a start in this by bringing in two old West ('ousters, in the persons of Mrs I’. McConville, of Wellington, and Mr J. H. Hicks, of ('h rist (diurch. Both singers Wei?’ in line voice and received a true West (’o: st welcome. Mrs Me (’unville chose as her programme num ber, ‘‘Sleep, My Little One,’’ which received a delightful reading, ami was lustily encored. Mis McConville responded to a double encore with ‘‘Miniature,’’ and ‘‘Happy Song, each of which were sung with tine temperamental feeling. Mr Cocks, whom many romenfber as having competed with success at the Musical (‘onipeti | lions here some years back, sang with the same artistry which rha ract erise I his competition work. ilis first num ber, ‘‘She Alone Charnieth My Sadness,’’ presented many technical dilli(•ulties, which tiie singer surmounted i with east 1 , giving a very fine rendering . of this classic. His effort fully justified j the rec- || which followed, and to which I he responded with ‘‘The Land of Sky i Blue Water,’’ ami ‘‘Reveille’’ both | songS entireiv different in theme. Later I Mr Cocks sang a plaintive little song ■ by Brake. ‘ ‘ Dow n Here.” br.ucketted with “Vale,” for which lie was again ! recalled, and snug ‘‘Border I‘»a I lail. ’ ’ : n l ‘ ‘ Requiem. One very pleasing feature in I he singing of both perfuiinI ers was perfect <-u uncia I inn, which eni aided Ihe amliciice to appreciate fully Ihe theme of the songs. The orchestra's ‘ cent ribul ion In ihe cvi'iiing’s proI gramme was a worthy one. The choice of selection was most suitable the numbers being tuneful, and on the whole, | well played. The rciidering in (-very | (•use showed careful study; there were no ragged passages; attack was good,! due at I ('nt ion was given to light and shmb l , and the ‘‘Tout Lnsmn bin,' ’ a de lijjitfnl musical treat to all who had the pleasure of hearing ii. The item i of interest was certainly ‘‘On Moonlit, I W.- ves," :i w.-iltz i-onqiosed by Sir Erie Moss. I'he orchestration was well balanced and the whole orchestra put its heart into the rendering of this number. Al the conclusion, round after round of applause greeted the orchestra, : and was partly intended as a mark of appreci: lion for Mr Kric Moss, who rose and bowed his acknowledgment. . In response to an encore, a portion of ( the movements were repeated. The sc ' lection from ‘‘('hu Chin (’how” with its weird Oriental atmosphere, came in strange contrast to the previous number. The march ‘‘Distant l-’oot st cps ’ ’ was a descriptive selm-tion in which fancy could easily hear the disf- nt i passino of stealthy feel. The inter-' mezzo. “The ('all of the Angelas, ’ ! I’nggosted the evening call to prayer, . the delicacy of the rendering breat h ing J the spirit of religious devotion. In i the idyl ‘‘ X a rcissus, ’' the fantasia, i ‘‘Madam Boniface’’ : ml the final selection ‘‘Bells of Xormatidy the orisls to the vocalists were Mrs .1. Hannan, and Mrs J. IL Cocks, who per- | I'ernied their allotted task in musician!y . '-dvle. The Xational .Anthem c'.includr>l j a most enjoyable programme. Prior I to ihe last iteia, the conductor, Air G. I T. Moss, thanked those vocalists who i had assisted in the concert, and mentioned Ilia' the occasion was the >o j cict v’s 21st birthday. He also thank- | ed the audiem-c for their attendance in sm-li large numbers and for their urn stinted ; ppreciatiuii of the various items rendered.