ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

Northern Advocate, 23 August 1924, Page 4

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

WELL-SELECTED PROGRAMME. GIVES MUCH PLEASURE. t ——— The se'cond conceit of the season by the Whangarei Orchestral Society unfortunately did not command so large an attendance as had graced the preceding entertainment. Though the dress ' circle of the Town HaH was full last night—the orchestra now counts at least sufficient permanent patrons to ensure that part of the house— the floor of the hall could have accommodated a great many more than it did. This was a misfortune, particularly for those who missed the opportunity of hearing n very pleasing- programme. While the orchestra proved to be in first-class

form and presented a variety of numbers that must have gratified all tastes, the supporting artists also played no mean part in achieving an all-round success, upon which everyone concerned is to be congratulated. The change in the conductorship this season certainly has not prejudiced the orchestra in any way. Mr L. T. i-ickmere*s methods differ in some respects from those of his predecessor, but to his obvious earnestness and capacity for taking pains he adds a very keen musical appreciation, and the members of the orchestra respond Teadily to the inspiration that he gives them. If last night's programme suggested any fault at all on the conductor's part it was in its revelation of a fondness for somewhat bizarre and disjointed music, of a type that rather bewilders the unitiated; but it would not be difficult to justify Mr Pickmere's choice of numbers for a musical organisation that is steadily making improvement and doing a beneficent work in introducing the Whangarei public to music that otherwise would be quite beyond their ken. The- opening of the programme with a verse of the National Anthem is proving most successful, for it has the virtue, as was clearly demonstrated last night, of "breaking t'he ice" for

the orchestra. From it the orchestra swung into the "Poet and Peasant" Overture with fine dash and spirit. The opening passages were given with clarity and precision by flie brass and clarionets and the response of the violins was equally good. The cornet solo with its pizzicato accompaniment from the strings was admirable, and the rhythm of the waltz passages was very pleasing. Altogether it was :i thoroughly artistic and inspiriting interpretation. Three numbers from Massenet's "Scenes Pittoresques" were next given. The emotionalism of the French master is strikingly portrayed in his orchestral suites, and this particular composition is quite characteristic. The opening March produced bizarre effects, but the Scene de Ballet found the clarionet, flutes and strings fully capable -of presenting the rich melody and displaying the com-

poser's grace. The third number, Fete Boheme, proved weird and temperamental, the orchestra handling a difficult little task with no small measure of success. The first movement from Mozart's "Jupiter" Symphony again made heavy demands upon the orchestra. It is typical of Mozart, full of rich harmony and colouring and essentially a number to be treated with breadth and understanding. While it taxed the orchestra very severely, the rendition attained a fairly high standard, the brasses being particularly pleasing and the bass work in th'is section being conspicuously good. Tho Overture to the "Merry Wives of Windsor," the best-known of Otto Nicolai's operas, was played a+'tcr the interval. The orchestra was scarcely J as successful in this as in the previous numbers, some of the instrumentalists being inclined to miss their cues, with unfortunate results. The next bracket comprised a "Minuet," by Gluck, and the well-known Intermezzo from "Cavalleria Kustieana." The former, almost austere in its simplicity, but . withal broad and dignified, is only a . morsel, but u very impressive one. The cornets and strings opened very sweetly, and in the transition to the wood wind and strings nothing was lost, while the brief "finale" brought a fineburst of rich tone. The Intermezzo, a I favourite with many people, really t earned-an encore, though Mr Pickmere did not give one. Dvorak's "Slavisehe Tanze" No. 1 concluded the programme most successfully. ■ The orchestra played with abandon ami I easy gracp, inaiinhnimig the swing or j a rhythmic performance with admirable comprehension, and the repetition in response to Ihe enthusiastic applause made a delightful finish for tho evening. For t7u> first time in a long while th« orchestra induced Madame Kdith Brainsby to grace its concert as a soloist, and her reception showed how the audience appreciated her ro-appear-ance. Her first number, "Caro Mil. i Hen," was made especially notable by! the provision of an orchestral accompaniment. Madame sang it with the fullest, sympathy and understanding; | in fact, she excels in the interpret- i tion of music possessing its grandeur ! and majesty. For an encore number ' she gave an old English song, "Early! One Morning," which was very en- j joyable. On her second appearance j Madame bracketed two flower songs, | "Soothsayer Marguerite" and "The \ Seeding Dandelion," the former full, of j appeal and the .latter a dainty little thing that she ; sang in finished style. ±ler encore number was another old

song, "Vanity Fair, ,, which J equally successful. Miss Joyce' Matt* sell, a visitor from Auckland, is $g quite young girl who is certainly : giffc« ed as an elocutionist. She appeared to be affected slightly by a cold, btiti this could not disguise her obvioii9[ good qualities. In her humorous! I sketch, "Stage Struck," she was verg j entertaining, and her encore numbeg was. equally enjoyable. " The Sea Jβ. His" showed her to great advantage itf apiece of "straight" declamation,given with fine power, and the doub]o encore which followed was thoroughly* deserved. Mr James Simpson, ax* Auckland tenor, possesses a voice of robust quality. Unfortunate* ly he evidently failed to gauge thd size and properties of. the hall .on hisf first appearance, so that his singing ofi "Lorraine," a -.charming song, was forced. His encore number, "Thej Elf Man," was quaintly given. Wlieqj he sang "T seek for Thee in Ever£ Flower" his performance was jrt striking contrast to his earlier effort,, and lie gave a really artistic interpreta* tion. He also was encored twice after this number, singing "The Birth of Morn" and "Vale" very gracefully. Mrs Farley was as sympathetic ami pleasing as she always is when she fills the role of accompanist.