Orchestral Concert

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7401, 17 September 1902, Page 2

Orchestral Concert

The Orchestral Society pres«nt.d the second concert of it* eighth reason at the Theatre Eoval ]_stm_ht ■ There was a large attendance both of subscribers and the general public, who manifested their pleasure nt the variou. numbers in an unmistr.keable manner. The members of the Society, n-der the direction of the conductor, Mr itf. Cohen, quite **' • tamed the reputation that th"- ...':■ built up for the interpretation •.' high class ui'isic. The vocalists, vr' o assisted the Society, also acquitted themselves most creditably, and the result was an entertiinment ot which an? town in New Zealand might well be proud. The principal orchestra number was Beethoven' < "Eroica Symphony," the movements selected being the " Marcia funebrae " and " Scherzo and trio." The former of these opens in ueninbre measure, which, changing from the minor to tbe major key, bursts into a rich volume of sound. This transition requires delicate treatment, but the members fully appreciated the beauties of the movement, and played with judgment and skill. The second excerpt from the symphony was in marked contrast to the first, the alternations of strings and wind lending a remarkable lightness and praeo to the movement. The orchestra also played the overture "The Merry Wives of Windsor" (iN'i-oIai) and the operatic selection " Lucie de Lammermoor " (Donizetti). In the former tbe andante moderato and allegro yivace were bracketed. B )th were played in a manner worthy of the Sociely. Iv tho latler Mr J. Wingnte tastefully tcok the 'cello so'.o. Mutt's reycrie, " Sunset," was also repeated and proved quite as aeoeptabl. as on previous occasions. Mr Wesley Wroolliouse played a piccolo solo, " A Captive Bird" (Wilcoelrt./with his usual taste and skill. He had to repe.t part of the solo to please the audience. To th-! vocal portion of (he programme Mr A. S. Ballance, of Wellington, contributed two items. He s-ng Wirigrove's "A Clinking Toast," and ilulloy's " Trnakadillo,'' quite on a pur with his previou-> vocal eiforts in F_ltn«rston. He was recalled for both und substituted "O. Dry Those Tears," and " When Hoses Bloom." Miss Kale Conucll, of Hawera, contributed "Till Death" (Mascheroni), and "Hush, My EittleOne" (Bevignaui), Mr Cohen playing the obligato to the former. Miss Council received a warm reception, which her singing quite merited. In response to the wish of the audience she sang "Solveig's Song " and a song from the opera " Mignon," and had to bow in acknowledgment of further applause. Tho cone, t was concluded with the rendition of the music of the opera, "Rose of Persia," played by tho Society. The melodies comprised, "With Martial Gait," "The Small Street Arab," "Time wil;._ Soften every Blow," " Try to Forget," " The Drinking song," and "Hassan, thy Pity I Entreut." All these were nicely played, the light character of Sullivan's music being accentuated by the previous num hers played by the Society. Th.: accompaniments were supplied by Mrs Fitzherbert.

The piano used was a fi;.e-toned instrument from Mr Coles' establishment.