ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 17 July 1925, Page 10

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

SEASON’S FIRST CONCERT. A GREAT.9UOCE3S. Yjh3il'i wa,> an air oi en.ih-whiiasni ill the Cotauu rooc-p-iion iucaiaei c-ue recently ifuigani.vu Oiciiesinu {society in tiiiweiu. *iio. the conceit, uie iirsii oi Liic season, given IU-st nignc- mat piomisco well tor the lnt.uie oi an, nwutution which is- a vaiiiahle asset to- the i-ite oi a town. ic is a -strtiving trmute to the organising powers of the conductor, Air. H. U. A. Fox, -and to the committee, that in the short space,oi two months they could -get together such a complete -array of instrumentalists, and that lie could bring them so soon to the -state of efficiency which was so well displayed to the large audience in the Opera House last night.

The series of selections chosen lor the conceit afforded a wide variety or styles that tested the capabilities- of the oiciiesDiia. it wins one that would tiy out a much moiei experienced body ot performe-rs, and that -the members came through so well is ;a tribute to them and to their able conductor.

The opening -selection wits a bright inarch, •‘Distant («reefing.’ It was full of life and formed a fitting pielude -in the ‘heavier works that followed.

The ' overture ,to “Sitnadella” by Flotow i-s a -pretty selection in four movements. Opening with a fine broad sustained legato, with horn solo, it developed into a movement -for full orchestra, with a fine contrast in strings and woodwind. The woodwind again had the leading part, and the concluding section tried out the orchestra ill its full power. Except for a, slight uncertainty'in the opening lento, the selection was excellently played, showing fine, power and expression.

“Moon Moths,” a series of three tone poems, was a very effective number. The soft laccomipaniment to the oboe and flutes formed a very nice opening, and the graceful allegro of the second section was played in very nice style and with good, effect. The third was perhaps the best of the series and showed the orchestra >a,t its best, l.t was altogether very interesting. Selections from the great opera. “11 Trovatore” formed the real test of the body of ]>erformers, and they came through with much credit. The fine full opening movement gave the strings a great opportunity, and the violin .solo stood out well. The beautiful oboe solo With, soft string accompaniment was a particularly attractive number. This was followed by a fine movement for full orchestra in which the volume of tone was most marked. In the concluding iseetion the solos for cornet and flute were the outstanding features, and the finale wans a fitting end to a very well played number. The hells in the “Intermezzo,” bv Ketelbez. lmd a verv nice effect and the rest was played in excellent taste and with good expression.

The feature of the “Liebestrauni,” by Von Rlon, was the fine coloratura work for the full orchestra. It was a selection full of expressive effects, and was played with a fin e breadth of style. In recognition of the good work of the orchestra the audience insisted «n an encore for the “Trovatore” and for the “Liebestrauni.”

The singing of Miss Teresa McEnroe was a feature of the concert. In her nolle throughout she showed a wonderful voice control and her technique was remarkably good and effective. The great number from “La Traviata,” recit and aria, “Ah Fors e Lui,” showed her perhaps at her best. Her enunciation was perfect, and her work ond number sh e chose a bracketed duo of songs, “Vale” (Russell) and “All in a garden fair.” She so pleased her listeners that they insisted on encores for both numbers. The lovely Irish melody “Relieve me if all those endearing young charms” was sung with a perfect appreciation of its tender feeling.

Mr. S. E. Carson, from Eltham, had good opportunity to show the power and range of his full bass voice in the great solo with recit “Even bravest heart” (Faust) and in th e rollicking song “Cloze props,” and he was recalled on each occasion.

Mr. M. Newbei'rv, in his violin solo “Hej Haj” (Drdla), was in fine form and drew from his instrument a full rich tone. His execution was very good and his solo was encored.

Tin. accompaniste to the orchestra was Mrs. Rogers, and for the solo numbers Miss D. Joll and Mrs. Page. All acq"itted themselves excellently. The performance was a distinct success and proved that Hnwern possesses in its Orchestral Society a body of players of whom any town might be proud. Mr. Fox had the orchestra under good control and secured very fine effects. He and th e members of the orchestra have reason to he very gratified with Jhe performance and with the enthusiastic reception awarded them bv all of the listeners. Their next performance will be awaited with keen interest.