MUNICIPAL BAND

Grey River Argus, 12 February 1936, Page 8

MUNICIPAL BAND

AN APPRECIATION OF MARITANA. One of the test selections for the ”B“ Grade bands at the forthcoming New Plymouth contest is made up of excerpts fr,m the Opera “Maritana, the music and words of which were composed by W. Vincent Wallace and Edward Fitzball respectively. The Opera is so well known that it might be thought superfluous to “place” it among musical compositions, yet perhaps it would be of interest to some of the younger generation who are interested in music to know that it comes about midway between Grand Opera and the Opera “Bouffe” of the Italians, which roughly corresponds with light opera of the Gilbert and Sullivan variety. The setting of “Maritana” is laid in Madrid and centres round the intrigues and love-making of the gay court of King Carlos whose, courtiers strive for the power which lies in the favour of their sovereign. It is a case of the eternal triangle which can become a quadrangle at any moment. Thus the course of true love does not run smoothly till near the end.. As one would expect there is no great idea, social or political underlying the music, and this is in strict contrast to Wagner’s “Rienzi,” the other “B” grade test selection, which depicts a period of social and political upheaval led by the great tribune Rienzi in the 14th century Rome. However, “Maritana” abounds in attractive and colourful melodies such as “Scenes that are Brightest” “Alas those Chimes.” “In Happy Moments Day by Day,” “Health to the Lady” and so on, whose arrangement by Trussell gives any band worthy of the name full scope for its powers in interpreting themes both grave and gay. On Sunday, the Band, conducted by Mr. H. L. Francis rendered Trussell’s arrangement of “Maritana” in so convincing a manner that all who heard it were delighted with old favourites so skilfully handled and whether or not the band carries off the prize at New Plymouth, that happy impression will remain. The Band’s opening of the selection indicated fine certainty of attack and the maintenance of this throughout was impressive. It is one of the tests of a well-trained band, and can only be obtained by months of hard work. As tho selection proceeded the fine balance, correct intonation and purity of the tone became more and more evident while straining for effect was quite absent. One of the most admirable features of the playing was the really excellent tone colorisation. The secret of this rests in an understanding of tho thought underlying the music and its interpretation by the players in. strict co-ordin-ation. That the Greymouth Band succeeded in this shows that 'they have overcome one of the greatest difficulties in all musical interpretation “I have seen,” said Paderewski, “players of the most perfect technique, who had not that innate power to colour their tones; thus they never came near the hearts of their audiences.”

The accompaniments to the solos were delightful in their restraint, balance and cohesion. In regard to the soloists it would be invidious to p.articulairse as all were good, playing with clear tone, well sustained and perfect intonation. In conclusion it must be said that whether it w<as portraying the rollicking spirit of the gay party as evidenced in “Health to the Lady” the pomposity of “I /km King of Spain” or the plaintiveness of “Alas, Those Chimes,” the band showed surprising versatility and wound up a. musieianly performance with finale full of verve and power.