CONCEPT.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 13, Issue 1087, 28 September 1869, Page 2

CONCEPT.

hi our last issue we anaounce'd that the Concert in aid of the Athenaeum had taken place : time would not allow of our giving a more extended report. We now purpose making a few remsirVi on the programme, and the inutmer of its performance. The Concert was opened with a pianoforte, duett, with full band accompaniment, from Beethoven's C minor symphony, commonly known as the " Grand March." The selection was eminently classical, perhaps a trifle too much so for a mixed, audience ; but it was performed most creditably, and with considerable force and precision. The full effect was, however, lost, from the want ! of the requisite acoustic properties in the building. This defect was felt throughout, the entire performance, and we fear it is impossible to enjoy any musical entertainment in the building until the hall is lined. The vocal selections especially were given at great disadvantage; and we observed repeatedly during the evening that the singers were obliged to exert themselves so much that the giving of light and shade was almost impossible. The "Red Cross Knight," an old glee and chorus of Calcott's, was fairly rendered, but wanted spirit. The duett " I would I were a drop of dew," was also well sung, although the articulation of the singers was imperfect, perhaps owing to the defect in the Hall above spoken of. At any rate we could not discover what became of the "drop of dew," mountain or otherwise. Perhaps it was disposed of during the " interval." "La Carita," one of Rossini's gems, followed, and was sung with great taste. It is, however, more adapted for a drawing-room of musicians than a public concert. While listening to such pieces, we cannot help thinking of the extravagance of casting pearls before certain animals. In this trio the bass was rather weak; the ladies' voices, however, were heard throughout. The duett between piano and violin was a success, both performers playing with taste and precision. There was a marked ease of style on tbe part of the violinist, and an absence of any affectation of manipulation — a defect too common with "fiddlers." The lovely song "Robin Adair" (we believe, Irish — although claimed as Scotch) was sung by a lady to whom the musical public have often been indebted for vocal beauties. Although sometimes, from the size and defects of the building, the singer had to overstrain her rich voice, the whole was sung with exquisite sweetness and pathos — the last verse especially. The accompaniment, by another lady, was perfect, and was played with great care, judgment, and feeling. We have seldom heard an accompaniment better given. "La Grand Duchesse" a pleasing and taking quadrille, closed the first part. The second part was opened with Mozart's glorious overture to "IlFlauto Magico," played, we believe, for the first time in Napier. It was carefully rendered j and reflected great credit on the band. We noticed particularly some beautiful flute effects. To those familiar with the Opera this was a treat, and we hope all enjoyed it as much as possible. The glee "Blow, Gentle Gales," an old favorite, was well given, although a little more light and shade would have improved it. "Then I'll think of thee," a lovely song by Lachner, was carefully sung. The violincello accompaniment, a song in itself " without words," was beautifully given. We noticed the piano accompaniment occasionally rather forte in this case, as well as once or twice in other pieces during the evening. "Oh ! lady fair" was scratched, apparently from the difficulty the Conductor had in mustering his performers. We observed one or two of them in the room, when they should have been on the platform waiting to " come on." This must be excessively annoying to those having the management of the performance, and it certainly marred the general eftect of the concert. We were not a little surprised at this want of musical discipline, as it was not observable at former concerts; the long recess in musical affairs which has taken place, perhaps accounts for it. "This magic wove scarf," a beautiful trio from Barnets' opera " The Mountain Sylph" was carefully rendered; the lady singer, as usual, sustained her part, a difficult one, very well. The bass, however, was weak, and the tenor (taken by the conductor) out of voice, and evidently out of temper also. We should like to hear this again under more favorable circumstances. Another absence of performers, and " Hark Apollo" was also scratched. Pity ! for this is a fine glee, and worthy the composer, Bishop. The concert was closed with the " Hilda Waltz," most creditably arranged, we are informed, by one of the band. The performance of it generally was bad, and there were evident signs of carelessness. The cornet, however, came out well, and we must congratulate the young gentleman on his marked improvement since last we had the pleasure of hearing him. We have omitted to notice in its order an instrumental trio— violin, violincello, and piano. Two of the performers have not, we believe, appeared so prominently before, and their first effort was a success. "We fancied, however, we could detect on the part of the violinist, *a disposition to jerk and scramble through any rapid passage. This is a great defect, and is a sacrifice of accuracy to effect, — a result not always pleasing. We do not wish to be thought hypercritical ; but we cannot help thinking that a little less physical expression on the part of this performer, would not detract from the general effect. The violincello part was well sustained. We noticed by the way that the National Anthem was not given at the close of the performance. Is it possible that musicians are becoming disloyal ?