CHORAL HALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8055, 16 September 1887, Page 5

CHORAL HALL.

HERR TUTSCHKA'S FOURTH CHAM-

, BE P. CONCEPT. A moderate audience only assembled at the last of this aeries of concerts yesterday evening. The programme was as usual sufficiently varied, and contained some very interesting numbers, among them Allegro from Beethoven's Quintette in C Minor, Op. 104, and Andante con Variazione from Octette, Op. 166 (Schubert). The instrumental solos were attractive though not purely classical, and received careful and successful treatment. Herr Tutschka chose " Fantasia Appassionata " by Vieuxtemps as his item, and found ample scope for his technical resources. The composition has some melodious phrases and shows much of its composer's elegant aud emotional fancy. The performance was characterised by Herr Tutachka's usual command of technique and taste, and received an emphatic recall, which was suitably acknowledged. Miss Otie Chew also played a violin 8010 with complete success. Her intonation was as correct and her bowing as steady as heretofore, and her whole performance betokens a brilliant future as a violiniste. " Stab.it Mater" was her selection, and she bowed her acknowledgements of the very hearty encore. Mr, George Clutsani, in a graceful and fanciful "Valse Caprice" by Wieniawski, played with great delicacy and finish, united to his usual good taste, aud responded to an undeniable recall with Hcharwanka's " Polish Dance " (No. 1). Miss Kluio Hunter played Rubinstein's original and fantastic "Impromptu in F" with good effect, aud was much applauded. The selection from Schubert's "Octett," played by Her Tutsohka and Mr. Clotujh (violins), Messrs. Kelly and J. Hemus (violas), F. Edger ('cello), G. Ulutsam (double bass), 8. Jackson (clarionet), and J. Cook (faaatto), was not a particularly well-balanced rendering the strings overpowering the wind instruments in some passages. The number was received with much attention. The performance of the "Allegro" from string quartette Beethoven) —played by Herr Tutscuka, Messrs. Olongh, J. Htraas, Edger, and Kelly —gave tokens of unsteadiness ; but the beautiful themes were sufficiently clearly brought out to atone for a want of ensemble at times. The drawing room orchestra gave a spirited rendering oi Herr Tutschka's effective arrangement of airs from Gounod's ever-melodious and inspiring " Faust," and was received with much gratification. Mrs. E. Johnston sang "1 he Golden Theshold" (F. Lohr), with violin and harmonium obligato, played by Herr Tutschka and Mr. A. Pooley respectively, aud a piano accompaniment, Miss Wright. The obligato detracted from the success of the solo singing, lacking nuance, and being generally too powerful. The lady has a fresh voice of good timbre and some power, singing with accurate intonation and emotional effect, and merited the recall. Mr. W. Bush sang " Non piu Andrai" (Mozart), and "Toreador's Song" (Bizet). Though evidently a trained vocalist, his intonation leaves something to bo desired, and the continuous use of the tremolo palls on the ear. He possesses much vocal power, and his upper notes are naturally pleasing, having a telling ring. The excerpt from "Carmen" was his most successful effort, and was loudly applauded. A more distinct pronunciation would give greater satisfac* tioD. Miss Rimmer appeared to advantage in Heaven and Earth' (Pinsuti), despite some faults of enunciation, and production of the medium register of her otherwise pleasing and promising voice, the upper register of which, however, showed many natural advantages. This sang was received with a recall. The programme concluded with the playing of the National Anthem, by the orchestra. The piauo accompaniments were judiciously played by Mr. Clutsam and Miss Wright.