Large Audience Hears Air Force Orchestra

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1942, Page 5

Large Audience Hears Air Force Orchestra

As the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band delighted with its performance the previous evening, so did the band's orchestra in a recital in the Town Hall yesterday afternoon. Swelled by a large attendance of school children, the crowd was too large for the accommodation provided and further seating had to be introduced to meet demands. Undoubtedly the novelty of an Air Force orchestra, the worth of which had been indicated by the previous band performance, induced such an excellent attendance, but it was pleasing to note greater appreciation for music in Whangarei, where the people oft times have failed to show interest in musical events. . Varied Programme Under the direction of Flight-Lieutenant H Gladstone Hill, an excellent programme was oresented, catering for all with orchestral items, instrumental solos and vocal solos and duets. This variation had a two-fold value, pleasing all tastes among the adults and being an educative benefit to the children. Opening with a well-defined interpretation of Offenbach’s overture, “Orpheus in the Underworld,” the orchestra followed with the dainty "Valse des Fleurs” from Tschaikowsky’s “Nutcracker Suite.” The short, tuneful march, “Viscount Nelson” (Lehle), was the next orchestral offering and then came excerpts from Reger Quitter's suite, “Where the Rainbow Ends.” These comparatively little-known pieces, full of melody, comprised “Rainbow Land” and “Fairy Frolics,” and were given tasteful interpretation. A Selection from Edward Germann’s “Merrie England.” in which the orchestra was heard at its best, completed the concerted portion of the programme. Surpassing their performances of the previous night, both Miss Ena Rapley and Mr. Ray Trewern were in great voice in solos and duets. Miss Rapley pleased particularly with her rendition of Landon Ronald’s “Down in the Forest,” while foy her second number she chose “By the Waters oLMinnetonka,” a flute obligato being played by Bandsman W. D. Boffa. Mr. Trewern opened his vocal bracket with the Irish song, “The Garden Where the Praties Grow,” but it was in his second solo, Rasbach’s evergreen favourite, “Trees,” that his voice was heard to best effect.

The vocal duets of Miss Rapley and Mr. Trewern were most popular. They chose numbers of popular appeal. “Sweethearts.” from Romberg’s “Maytime”’ and “Indian Love Call," from Friml's “Rose Marie,” in both of which their voices were perfectly blended. Three first-class concert musicians. Bandsmen A. Munro (violin), A. C. Ramsey (’cello) and Sergeant E, K. Thurke'ttle (piano), were associated in what is seldom heard in country centres, a trio with these instruments. Their first number. Lalo’s “Finale in B Major,” was perhaps a little too classical for popular taste, but the familiar “Souvenir" (Drdla) was warmly received. Bandsman Ramsey also played “Apres un Reve” (Faure) as a 'cello solo, while Sergeant, H. G. W. Geard produced fine full tone in the cornet solo, “The Rosary” (Nevin). An unusual item was a bracket of three numbers by a saxophone quartette, FlightSergeant Simpson and Corporals Floyd, McCaw and Robb, which delighted theaudience, especially the children. Each of the three numbers had its purpose, the novelties, “Laughing Sax” and “Slip’n’ Sax,” being contrasted by the third, “Believe Me With All Those Endedring Young Charms.” Flight-Sergeant Simpson was also heard in the saxophone solo, “Valse Llewellyn” (Wjedoft).' For the vocal items, the accompanist was Sergeant Thurkettle, who also provided the , incidental piano music for instrumental numbers hot supported by the band.

Rumanians.—Sixtyhigh-ranking Rumanian officers are reported to have been arrested on the Russian front and in Rumania in connection with a secret antiAntonescu organisation. They have been imprisoned in an old castle at Bucharest.