CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL UNION.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 11108, 6 November 1896, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH MUSICAL UNION.

The popularity of the Christchurch Musical Union is evidently increasing materially. The audiences at its concerts are generally large, but that last night was so much above the average in point of numbers that every portion of the Opera House was full, and in some parts there was barely standing room. The programme provided consisted principally of orchestral items, the chief of which was Schubert's unfinished symphony in B minor. This is very properly regarded as one of the finest’ orchestral compositions ever written, and it is full of most entrancing music. With the exception that the brass was, a trifle unsteady in portions it went excellently from beginning to end, and the various 'pianissimo passages were really finely played., Weber’s overture “Euler of Spirits,” an/ extremely difficult composition, with solos for oboe and violoncello, went equally well, and a wonderful effect was produced by Mackenzie’s well-known “ Benedictus,” which is usually played as a violin solo, 1 being performed as a solo tor the whole of the violins. “Slumber Music ” by Alfred Hill, a delightful composition, very typical of the composer, and the better known gavotte from Mujnon, which were coupled, were in every sense of the word most enjoyable, and a similar remark applies to Grieg’s “ Peer Gynt,” which has been previously performed at the Society’s concerts, containing as it does some curious effects for the muted violins in the second and third movements, and an extremely weird finale. The effect of Mr Wallace’s violin solo “Roiuanze,” by Max Bruch, was not improved by the fact that the orchestral accompaniment was inclined to drag at times, but too much praise cannot be given to Mr Wallace himself, for his rendering of the solo, which was masterful to a degree. The vocalists who took part in the concert were Miss Hardey and Mr A. Millar. The former, who was making her first appearance in public, was, perhaps, unfortunate in the choice of her songs. Compositions such as the two little songs by Mascagni, which she sang in the first portion of the programme, can be made effective only by the most accomplished professional 1 singers who are thoroughly adept in music of a light french character, while Wagner’s “ Spinning Song ” requires to be sung by a thorough artist if it is to be successful. Nevertheless, there were features in JVEiss Hardey’s singing of the latter which were praiseworthy and which thoroughly deserved the recall which was accorded her. Vulcan’s song from Gounod’s “ Philemon and Baucis ” is not improved by being sung apart from the opera, but Mr Millar put so much fire into it that he was encored’ and in response he sang “Out on the Deep.” Calcott’s “Friend of the Brave ” is not, perhaps, quite up to the standard of works which should be performed at concerts which are supposed to be devoted to classical music, but here again Mr Millar attracted his audience so much by his vigorous interpretation of the song that he was encored, and he sang “ Thy Sentinel Am I ” capitally. Mr F. M. Wallace conducted the various orchestral numbers, with the exception of Bruch’s “Romanze,” when his place was taken by Mr H. H. Loughnan, while Miss C. Lingard acted as accompanist for the vocal items.