CONCERT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 4434, 30 April 1875, Page 2

CONCERT.

The Orchestral Society is keeping up its reputation. The programme of last night was scarcely so taking as the last one we had the pleasure of hearing; nevertheless, the performances shew that the Society has- not lost its time during the interval. The instrumentation is evidently the result of careful: practice, and shows a considerable improvement upon which the Society is to be complimented. The programme was a capital one; very well calculated to raise the musical taste of the audience by making them acquainted with the works of the great masters. Mozart and Beethoven claimed the principal share of attention. For the lovers of the former, there were the familiar overture to “ Don Giovanni,” played with great smoothness, and the fine sonata inD.- For the performance of this, the musicians deserve great credit. It was here that the improvement they have made was chiefly noticeable, the second movement, a truly Mozartian composition, being given with expression and taste, while the brilliant finale was played with great spirit and precision. Intelligence and great care marked the whole performance. The admirers of Beethoven had an opportunity of making acquaintance with his overture to King Stephen—little known and nicely played,—and of hearing one of his sonatas- for violin and pianoforte, which was excellently rendered by those to whom it was entrusted. To attempt the pianoforte portion of this work—abounding in difficulties—is a credit to any lady amateur., To play it as this one did last night is to achieve a great, success. We hope she will permit us to compliment her on her skill and her appreciation of- the composer’s ideas. She was well assisted by Mr Bennington, who has seldom played with greater-purity of tone or facility of execution.

The part songs, which hare become a regular feature in the programme of these concerts, introduced a pleasing variety. The first was somewhat monotonous in character, and might hare been a "little more smoothly sung j the other two were better selected, and were given with vivacity, correctness, and.proper attention to light and shade, the “ War song ” being specially remarkable. There was, besides, a pretty trio of Smart’s, with a brilliant accompaniment, sung pleasingly by two ladies and a gentleman j a little more practice would have made them perfect. A song by a well-known amateur—“ Good night, Beloved,” which was taken, we thought, a shade too fast, exhausted the list of vocal music. Some well arranged selections from “ Trovatore ” ended the programme.