THE LATE CONCERT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 8, Issue 704, 28 November 1865, Page 3

THE LATE CONCERT.

What strain is this that oomes upon the sky Of moonlight, as if yonder gleaming cloud, Which seems to wander to the melody, Were seraph-freighted ? Republic of Letters. Sir,—Surely the people of Napier never enjoyed such a musical treat in this Province as it was their good fortune to listen to last Wednesday evening. The programme consisted of. vocal and instrumental music (performed by the splendid band of the 70th Regiment) comprising selections from the " great composers/ and to attempt giving a description of which, by a critical dissertation, upon each piece, would occupy too much of your valuable space: I will content myself, therefore, by glancing tit some of the leading features of the evening's entertainment. ', The concert opened with the overture from "Massaniello" (Auber). When the first note of this delicious piece struck upon the ear, it was thought the sound of the instruments would be too loud for the room; but this was soon discovered to be a fallacy, the piecejcommencing with a double forte and gradually subsiding into menso'forte, when each instru* ment was distinguished. The two flute solos performed by Corporal Callender were really magnificent, shewing at once the taste and exquisite execution of this (I had almost said unparalleled) performer on the flute. The cornet solo, "Bluebells of Scotland," with variations, performed by Color-Serjeant J. Cleary, was certainly a treat; and when his | absence from the band for the last five years is taken into consideration, I think that a slight nervousness under which he laboured may be accounted for; and I believe myself to be justified in saying that, with a little more public practice, Serjeant Cleary would most undoubtedly become the first cornet player in the southern hemisphere. I cannot omit to mention the taste and feeling with which Private James Franklin played '•Eilly Mavourneen," in the grand selection from the "Lily of Killarney:!' his tone was rich in the extreme. Corporal Pearson, in the same piece, acquitted himself as a thorough musician, he having throughout a most difficult and prominent part to perform. Although the "Lily of Killarney" is a most beautiful piece, it is much, too long, and, as such, ought not to be repeated at the approaching concert. There is a decided objection to long selections at concerts. Everyone knows that, in the mother county, the introduction of long selections has been often objected to, and is now generally.' They produce a confused performance, consisting of things jumbled together without coherence or congruifcy. The air and chorus, " The heavens are telling" (Haydn), was one of the great attractions of the evening; but permit 7 me to suggest the advisability of not repeating tlie air, as when done so, it is much too long. " The grand chorus was performed with a power and gran^ deur that was absolutely stupendous, creating an impression of overwhelming and irresistible power. I was happy to see Serjeant Oakley, the band director, reserve his solo till the latter end of the performance, as this was, in my humble opinion, the gem of the evening. The solo consisted of a duetto, with variations—the two solos being Serjeant Oakley and Corporal Mitchell, the latter being, to all appearance, a very young man with extraordinary musical abilities, and one who bids fair to become an ornament to his profession. The manner in ! which Serjeant Oakley performed his part in this solo, and at the same time led the accompaniment instruments,, proves him to be a master of his instrument, and a thoroughly efficient musician, practically and theoretically. The fact of the 70th Band having been without a professional bandmaster (with the exception of four months at Otahuhu) for the last three years, reflects the highest credit upon Serjeant Oakley's abilities. As the leader of an orchestra he has none of that bombast and gesticulation so prominent in foreigners, and so repugnant to Englishmen: his demeanour is perfectly calm and collected as he wields his baton with unerring precision. Sir, to say more would be superfluous. I see, by announcement, that there is to be another concert on next Thursday evening, and ' it is to be hoped that the efforts of the band to please may be ci'owned by as good a house on that occasion as they were upon last Wednesday week. Yours, &c,