THE BESSES 0' TH' BARN

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LIII, Issue 9305, 22 March 1907, Page 5

THE BESSES 0' TH' BARN

To say that the great performance given on Thursday evening reaJised the highest anticipations that liad been formed of the Besses is to say not a jot more than iB true. They gave a performance which of its kind was as good, one should imagine, as could be given by any such, organisation, and as they are. 6aid to be the fines* in the "world it is allowable to suppose that rfehe glowing impressions of that- programme formed by the large and enthusiastic audience are correct. To begin with, one marvels at the tone, a theme on which anyone could' enthuse. Though in a small hall their .full fortissimo chords wefe not harsh, they would certainly sound better im a largeir building or in the open air, but were listened to without the feeling of over-loudnees that' is 'the result of any ordinary band's playing. And then their soft subdued and sustained iplaying; this was one of the most enjoyed features of their concert. Nothing better describes it than to say it was .like the chords on an organ and the solo -work like pulling out a solo stop to play to the accompaniment of the soft stops on another manual. What a lesson to any musical association, be it instrumental or choral, was their perfect attention to the conductor's baton! It is simply wonderful the way they nespomdedi to his slightest effort. He has them in perfect control and, as has already been said:; manages them as though he were the organist a* a great organ. Any report would be incomplete without appreciative mention oi ihis great efforts, done in such a quiet, unassuming manner.. Mr Owen fully deserves all the encomiumsthat ihave been passed on him by the press in every centre. The firm attack, the dipped) finish,, the crescendos and diminuendos, the sustained! largo and the brilliant .presto were all executed in a way tha* almost defies adequate description. One 'feature that was also, very noteworthy was the quiet, easy way of commencing. There was no elaborate pireparation.; every eye was on the central figure, and when he moved' they were all ready in unison with him. The programme was well selected to show to the full th© best features of their playing. The march by Mir Owen' was a stirring and musician-like composition that showed at one© ihe band's foil volume of sound, and ffiieirspeased N "with melodies for -various instruments brought' out the ability of the soloists. The opening to the overture '-Poet and Peasant" war a fine example of their powers of subdued and sustained legato playing. But' wlat a burst cf enthusiasm broke forth when in response to the recall the beautiful hymn "Lead Kindly Light" was played. The comet solo "Cleopatra," by Mir T. G. Moore, was a revelation in the arc of cornet-playing. The tone was rich, mellow and clfair,' and' the execution brilliant. "The. Lost Chord," given in response, was vvfonderful. The playing of the opening and concluding bars of this great spng and of the accompaniment to "Thou'rt passing hence" struck one as being the finest in the whole programme. The encore io the latter was the old song "Ths Village Blacksmith." Mr F. Berry, tihe euphonium soloist, who played these two, was deservedly encored. His was a very fine performance. In his solo, "Thou'rt passing hence. 1 ' one could almost hear the words, and thinking •of those beautiful words and their glorious accompaniment, the fine interpretation of this truly great song stirred one's inmost feelings and made one appreciate the power of a song where words and music lore so fitly linked together. The waltz "Marguerite," the old and favorite "Selections from Pirates of Penzanee," and the '"English. Airs" all delighted the audience and stirred them to enthusiasm. ' The perfonrance was masterly and finished in every detail, and there was no one but felt genuine regret when the end came Everyone • doubtless earned away delightful memories of the concert and will dhi&rish emotional lecblleetions of the playing. The visit of the great Besses o' th' Barn Band marks an epoch in the musical life of the colony, and cannot but bo productive of irvcli good, not only to local bands who have, we do not doubt, taken, to heart the many lessons taught by their playing, but also to the people who have thinonged to hear them. There was no one but is the better &>r listening to good music finely played, and the man that is not moved, by such playing an that of this srreat band must be past redemption. At the time of writing there was promise of fine weather for the performance at the racecourse to-day.