WHANGAREI ORCHESTRA

Northern Advocate, 19 June 1926, Page 5

WHANGAREI ORCHESTRA

AN ENJOYABLE CONCERT i The place which the Whangarei Orchestra fills in the life of the musicloving section of the community was demonstrated last evening, when the first concert of the present season was held. The night was very cold, resulting in an overcoatcd audience, but, despite that fact, the dress circle was filled and a fairly largo number occu-j pied the body of the hall. The audi- j ence were amply rewarded, as a, musical treat was provided. Whangarei is to be congratulated on the possession of a really excellent orchestra, the existence of which is an asset to the town. It is well balanced, the players on the whole are good performers, and thL leads are fine instrumentalists. The conductor, whose methods are divorced from theatriealism, has brought the organisation to a very creditable standard. The programme last evening was of a diversified nature, which served to test the ability of the orchestra and demonstrate the conductor's control of his band. The opening immiSer was the old favourite overture, “Poet and Peasant,” the music from Von Suppe’s famous work being played with great • taste. The audience demonstrated their desire for more, Out the Orchestra did not respond. The next number was Jarnefelt's “ Praeludium, ” in which the wood winds play a haunt-1 ing melody to Ihe pizzicato aeeom- j paniment of the strings. It is a charming morsel, and had to be repeated in response to the demand of ' the audience. The Orchestra’s next j contribution was of a more ambitious nature, being the “Allegro non Troppo” movement of Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony. This difficult number was played in a delightful manner, the work of the wood-winds being particularly good, though the whole band responded admirably to the conductor's call. This big item was followed by another Beethoven masterpiece, the lampus ‘ 1 Pidelio ’’ overture. This was perhaps the Orchestra’s best work of the evening. It ’made, of course, greater call upon the capacity of the combination, and conductor and players are to be con- • gratiilated on their performance. The Orchestra was under perfect control as was particularly evidenced in the crescendo and dimenuendo passages. Handel’s celebrated Largo was very enjoyable. The rhythm requisite for the effective interpretation of this work was grasped, and a beautiful sonorous'tone was also produced. Two of Brahms’ Hungarian Dances (Nos. 1 and 2) were fascinating. The spirit of the dances was captured by the Orchestra, who played the beautiful music with great delicacy and expression. This number was distinctly creditable. The Orchestra’s last contribution was a selection from “The Belle of New York.” The music of this old time favourite was played -with due appreciation of its vivacity j and made an excellent finale to thej Orchestra’s programme. i

The Whangarei Orchestra has always secured high class supporting talent, and last evening’s concert was no exception to the rule. The assisting artists were two well-known Ancle land vocalists, Miss Phyllis Gribben and Mr Arthur Colledgc, who contributed very considerably to the success of the concert. The songs chosen by them were mainly, of a somewhat sombre description, and made heavy demands on the singers, who, however, acquitted themselves in masterly manner. Apart from their solos, Miss Gribhen and Mr r ■'Hedge sang several duets, ' and it was these which gave the greater pleasure to the audience. Their voices blended beautifully, and the ■ audience would have liked manv more contributions. Miss Gribhen has a fine voice of big range and power. Her lower notes are pure contralto, but they w:ere not heard so o!Vn as notes which suggested a mezzo-soprano of fine texture. She first see'. “The Lament of Isis,” and in r- vi'"nse to an encore sang one of Ed -ai l German's songs. Malliiisoti delightful "Break Into Song” was Gribben’s next contribution, ’• " an undeniable encore gave fV audience; * f Tho Star,” by Poser. - v,. n, ~lpro,'

the possessor of a very fine voice, of which he has perfect control, sang “ ’Tis Jolly to Hunt” (Robin Hood’S song from Bennett’s "May Queen”), of which he gave a fine interpretation. “The Lute Player” (Allitsen) was his encore number. The "Song of the Harlequin” followed, and it was very artistically rendered. As an encore, he gave " Drinking. ” The duets sung by Miss Gribben and Mr Colledge were "The Day Is Done.” "It was a Lover and His Lass,” "The Harbour Lights,” and "*O, Lovely Night.” Mrs P. S. Connell played the accompaniments for the singers. She one again demonstrated her gifts as an nceompaniste, her playing being one of the features of the concert. The orchestra is fortunate to have the services of such a tnl'mlcd pianiste,