THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 184, 17 July 1869, Page 4

THE PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

On Wednesday night last, the Blenheim Philharmonic Society gave their third concert. We are happy to say that it was an unqualified success. The Society is only nine months old, and many of its members had but little knowledge of music when they joined, and were entirely unaccustomed to sing together. In their two previous concerts some of the pieces were fairly rendered, but on the whole there was a great flatness and want of spirit. This last concert has shown what may be done by practice and a determination to overcome difficulties, and although we naturally expected improvements, we were not prepared for such a decided advance. All the voices had improved, and whereas in the former concerts flatness was a rule, here it was an exception. The natural bashfulness of the male sex in the former concerts prevented their singing out, but we are glad to find that they have overcome this, and on this occasion made their voices heard ; this applies especially to the basses, and the improvement was decidedly marked. We must not omit to mention the Brass Band, and in doing so, we must revert a little to the past. An attempt was made a few years back to get up a band, but some how or other it proved an abortion. Picton had its band, and was justly proud of it, and on festive occasions, Blenheim was obliged to solicit their services. We do not know how it arose, but a few months since some of our townsfolk thought they would have another trial, and commenced to practice. Their efforts have been crowned with success, and their progress has been most astonishing, and Picton will have to look well after its laurels. We hope before long that the two bands may be able to meet in friendly rivalry. Another feature in the concert was the performance of Mr. Brook, on the English.concertina. This was the greatest treat in "^instruine’ntal''music that has been enjoyed in Blenheim. His execution and tones were something wonderful, and we have no hesitation in saying that he cannot be surpassed by any performer in this hemisphere. The concert commenced with a selection of music by the Band, exceedingly well played. The chorus, “ Hail, Smiling Morn,” followed This was sung with great precision and taste, and the tenors and basses were much better than formerly. A duet for violin and piano was brilliantly executed, and gained great applause. “Glorious Apollo” was fairly sung, but there was a degree of harshness about it we did not like. Next came what may be called the performance of the evening—- “ Locke’s Music for Macbeth.” There had been croakers about the place for some time, talking of the folly of young beginners attempting such difficult music, and prophesying a complete breakdown, and recommending simple airs and choruses. But the Society, though young, had pluck and perseverance, and Mrs. Grundy was completely deceived by the result. The first and second witches’ music was beautifully sung ; the yonng lady who sung the first witch is improved wonderfully in her voice, and with more practice will become a first-rate singer. The gentleman who sang the part of Hecate acquitted himself splen

didly. The air, “ Now I go, and now I fly," was beautifully given ; and the chorus, “We fly by night” was given with a precision and power that reflects highly upon the practice of the singers, and the ability of the conductor; indeed, the whole of the choruses were given in a manner that would have done credit to an older and more advanced society. We must not omit to notice the way in which the accompaniment was played —no easy task, considering that it occupied nearly twenty minutes, and that it is not like an accompaniment to a simple song, merely striking a few chords here and there, but may be called classical music, and is a study in itself. The second part commenced with selections by the Band. These were beautifully played, and quite astonished the audience. The music was of a more difficult character than that generally played, and speaks volumes for their practice, and the skill of their leader. We should imagine they will soon attempt more advanced music; and we feel sure that, with practice, they would be enabled to play overtures. A duet, violin and piano, succeeded, “The Mabel Waltz.” The gentleman who played the violin is a genius. We believe he is nearly self-taught, but unlike selftaught artists in general, he has but little to unlearn. With a few years’ practice under the tuition of a good master, he would make a mark even in the Old Country. It was an advantage for him to have such a performer as the lady who played the piano. Her execution and perfect time are invaluable. “ Milly’s Faith” was sweetly sung ; some parts were beautifully sweet, but the singer was a little nervous at the commencement. She has a sweet voice, and only wants more practice. Rossini’s “These Moments Entrancing” was a gem ; all the singers sustained their parts admirably, and the manner in which the conductor marshalled his forces would have done credit to a more experienced artiste. “When shall we three meet again” was carefully sung ; all the singers were well up in their parts, and there is great beauty in the composition, but is more adapted to a musically-educated audience, and is not likely to be popular. “A man’s a man for ’a that” was nicely sung, but we think the singer was too nervous. He has a good voice, and only wants more confidence. The duct, “ Slowly and Softly,” was perhaps the great hit of the evening. It was not only artistically given, but with great sweetness and expression, and we think we never heard the two ladies to such advantags before. “ The Queen and the Navy” came next; the singer has an excellent quantity of voice, but would be better for a little instruction. The song being encored, he gave a comic song, one of the best we ever heard ; it was quite refreshing after the comic songs of the present day, which are generally made up of ribaldry or slang. It met with a rapturous applause. The comic trio, “Little Pigs,’’convulsed the audi nee. It was rumored in the room that the gentlemen had spent some time at the door of a pigstye in order to get the right notes ; at all events, they were well up in porcine sounds. “Good bye sweetheart” was nicely sung ; this gentleman is much improved in his singing, but we would recommend him in future not to attempt falsetto —even professional singers rarely succeed. The concluding chorus, “Night is Advancing,” fully sustained the character of the evening. We have left Mr Brook to the last, not that he was' the least, but that his music did not appear in the programme. He only arrived on the day of the concert, and kindly volunteered. We have already alluded to his exquisite playing, we now give the title of the music played by him. “ Ye Banks and Braes,” and for an encore he gave “A che le morte.” The second piece was “The last rose of summer,” and the encore “ Home, sweet home.” His execution was wonderful, and we could fill whole pages in praise of his performances ; but we hope the public will have the pleasure of hearing him again, and judging for themselves. We cannot dismiss our subject without noticing the change of conductor ; that the present gentleman is more fitting than the previous one, there can be no doubt. He has all the elements of a conductor ; we might say •‘nascitor non Jit," and the ability with which he directs the movements of his forces, is only equalled by their attention.