ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7656, 5 June 1886, Page 5

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Tim Orchestral Society's concert for the month of Jane was held in the Choral Hall last night* Notwithstanding the very inclement weather there was a capital audience. These concerts are evidently increasing in popularity, as evidenced by the increasing audiences! An excellent pro» gramme was provided, there being several items of especial and local interest. There was a good muster of performing members, numbering altogether 35 instrumentalists. The absence of the bass trombone, and, m some of the numbers, of the second clarinette, was, however, noticeable. We are informed the society now numbers 47 members, comprising 8 first ciolins, 9 second violins, 6 violas, 5 'cellos, 4 basses, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinettes, 1 bassoon, 2 cornets, 2 horns, 21 trombones, and 2 drums. The concert was, of courtie, as usual, under the conductorship of Berr Sohmifcfc The orchestral pieces comprised the overtures to lancredi " and " Ruy Bias," two movements from one of Haydn's symphonies, Gmigl 8 "Marlon" waltz, and Herr Schmitts " Marcbe Triumphale." Of all overtures " Tancredi " is one of the most well-known, but it has not before been performed by the Orchestral Society. It was played with much spirit, though the tempo in the introduction was somewhat slower than we have been accustomed to hear it. The playing of the orchestra, in its general effect, would be much improved if the brass instruments would bring out their notes more sharply on the beat —not necessarily louder, but with more precision. Some of the chords in this overture seemod to lag. " Ruy Bias is an overture in which fresh interest can be discovered on each successive hearing. T.he orchestra is now thoroughly conversant with it, and is beginning to render the music with its due effect. Especially charming is the melody forming the second subject, given first to clarinettes and 'cellos in unison, and reappearing again later on in a different key. This melody was last night very well brought out by the several instruments. The bold, massive chords with which the overture opens have a striking effect, though here the absence of tho baas trombone was especially felt. The want was, however, partially supplied by tho double bass. The overture was taken at a smart speed, and went decidedly well, being the chief feature among the orchestral numbers. The Haydn symphony comprised an adagio and a menuet and trio, both of a bright and pleasing character, the latter being stirring and lively, and the andante movement melodious. Both movements were well played, though the andante was the less successful of the two, probably because the orchestra has hitherto played but few slow movements, confining itself to the allegros and finales. Tho waltz, Guugl'a " Marien," was an excellent selection, being one of the most interesting waltzs yet played at these concerts. The introduction has some pretty snatches of melody for the clarinette and oboe, and throughout the'cellos have telling passages. Herr Schmitt's " Marche Triumphale" (dedicated to Bis Excellency Sir W. F. D. Jervoia) is already favourably known to the Auckland public, having been previously played by the orchestra. It is stirring and effective, and it formed a fitting conclusion to an excellent concert. Of lesser instrumental pieces, there were three selections, a portion of one of Beethoven's sonatas for the pianoforte, a solo for clarinette, and a movement from Schubert's "Trout Quintette" for piano, violin, viola, 'cello, and contrabass. The Beethoven sonata was played by Mr. George Clutsam, who is now well known in Auckland as a finished and brilliant performer on the pianoforte. The movements chosen were the " Adagio " and " Finale " from the sonata in A major, op. 2, No. 3, and were interpreted by Mr. Clutsam with much artistic feeling. That the playing of this sonata was appreciated by the audience was evidenced by the fAct that, to use a hackneyed expression, a pin might have been heard to drop during the performance. Selections from Beethoven 8 3onat#s should be oftener heard at thes concerts. The clarinette solo was a "Fantasia on favourite Scotch melodies," by Lazarus, and was excellently played by Mr. S. Jackson, who obtains a pleasingly soft and mellow tone from his instrument. The solo afforded scope both for legato playing, and for the exhibition of the facility of execution acquired by Mr. Jackson, who was enthusiastically recalled, but simply bowed his acknowledgments. He was accompanied on the piano by Mr. Clutsam. The movement from the "Trout Quintette" was one of the features of the concert. The movement chosen was the andantino theme, with variations, and is a charmingly melodious composition. The socalled "Trout Quintetto" was written by Schubert at the early age of 20 as a quartette for four stringed instruments only, and was first performed at Vienna from the composer's MS. Schubert was present, and improvised a piano accompaniment as the new stringed quartette was being played, consequently the piano part, as subsequently written by nim, takes only a subordinate part in the' quintette. &The name of The Trout I is from the fact that the quintett introduces the air of a song previously written by Schubert to the words of a poem called "The Trout" by the poet Muller. The treatment of this melody, which forms the subject of the movement played last night, is eminently artistic, there being abundant variety, while the whole movoment is held together, as it were, by its harmonious links. Tho quintette was very efficiently rendered by Messrs. G. Clutsam, C. Hemus, Clough, Edgar, and F. Clutsam, and evoked unanimous applause, the audience insisting on more, to which the porformers responded with the Scherzo and trio movoment from the same quintette. Tho vocal selections were four in number, the first being a song entitled " Last night we sailed," composed by J. J. White (brother of T. H. White of this city), who was at ono time leader of Wagner's orchestra in Germany. It in an effective song, written in classical style, so far preferable to modern style of song-writing, much of which it would require exceptional politeness to call other than trash. The song was well sung by Mr. Burnham, and was given with orchestral accompaniment, very effectively scored by Mr. Clough. The words of the song are highly imaginative in character, and are by Miss May Probyn. The accompaniment is evidently intended to represent the undulating motion of the ocean. This song should be repeated, when no doubt further rehearsal would enable the effect intended by the composer to be more fully realised. Mrs. Judson sang a plaintive song by Sullivan, entitled, " Only the night winds sigh alono." It was rendered by this lady with that artistic finish which is characteristic of her singing, and was given with string quartette accompaniment, which was appropriate, and added to the interest of the song. A valuable addition to tho list of Auckland soloists will be welcomed in Mrs. Clutsam, who appeared for the first timo last night in an Auckland concert-room. The lady has an excellent contralto voice of full quality, and her style of singing is such as would be expected from a musician. She sang the well-known and favourite cavatina, " Robert toi que j'aiine'' in a manner which at once secured the favour of the audience, and her future appearance in the con-cert-room will be always an attraction. Mr. A. Tayler was the other vocalist of the evening, It had been announced that Mr. I Whitehorne's prize part song would be performed, 'but, owing to the colds now so prevalent, it was not found possible to prepare it for performance, and Mr. Tayler was resorted to to supply the vacancy, which he very kindly did, contributing a song entitled "The silver cup," by Stephen Adams, which he sang with his customary good taste and effectiveness. Mr. Whitehorne's part song is announced for the next concert, to take place Friday, July 2, when will also be performed the overtures to " Hamlet" (Gade) and " William Tell," an operatic potpourri for orchestra, a 'cello solo, and other interestI ing items.