ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9496, 27 April 1894, Page 5

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT.

The Auckland Orchestral Union save their first concert of the season last night, at the City Hall. The orchestra remains very much the same as last year, with the exception of one or two new faces. Mr. Towsey conducted, and secured excellent renderings of the different selections. Mr. Charles Hemus was in his old position as chief of the band, and as usual save a capital lead; his associate, the principal of the second violins, Mr. Triphook, also lent valuable aid. The piece de resistance of the concert was a performance of a composition by the great instrumental writer, Beethoven, namely, his overture to a dramatic piece written by Kotzebue for the opening of a new theatre at Pesth in the year 1811, entitled, "Hungary's First Hero; or, King Stephen." This number is perfectly Beethovenish in style, forcible and appropriate, full of melodic charm and technical resource, while more than once the music rises to a height of veritable grandeur and completely intoxicates the hearer with its joyous spirit and fantastic boldness. It was accorded a highly-finished reading. The fine body of tone possessed by the strings was specially noticed, while the wood-wind instruments played their part with intelligence and distinction. A grand climax was reached in the finale, which was most effective. At the close the audience raptuously applauded the contribution. The Norwegian composer Johaii Svendsen, was represented by his clever and engaging " Rhapsody INo. 2 " This imposing and beautiful composition served to show off infullest measure the sonorousness of the orchestra and unanimity of style, besides the advantage of careful practice and constant working together. The weird modulations, syncopated passages, and various shades of expression were all excellently carried out. The contrabasso's and brass instrument executants did the fullest justice to their parts, and equally successful was the performance of Mr. Wallet, the viola player. Though alone, he managed to make his part prominent, even when the orchestra was playing full. For unity of attack and pure intonation the strings too are deserving a word of commendation. The delicious inter* mezzo movement from M&scagui's opera "Oavalleria Rustioana" received a graceful and finished delivery, and was so much enjoyed by the audience that they insisted upon its repetition. Great interest was centred in the rendering for the first time here of selections from Gilbert and Sullivan's latest opera " Utopia, Limited," which was produced in October last at the Savoy Theatre, London. The music is thoroughly Sullivanesque in character, rather reminiscent than fresh, always refined, and developed with admirable conciseness and skill. It elicited a warm reception, and was attentively listened to. The performance given of it, if nob without a flaw, was a highly creditable one. Here and there in the change of tempo, the orchestra wore inclined to be unsteady. However, this defect was speedily rectified. The cornet solos in the piece by Mr. Hunter were much admired, as was also the playing of the wood-wind members. ; The exceed* ingly complicated orchestration of Mackenzie's Rhapsodic Ecossaisse was well met by the band, with the exception of a little irresolu';eness now and again. The phrasing and style left nothing to be desired on the score of grace and completeness, and the leading themes were all admirably worked out. Mr. Jackson's clarionet solo and Mr. Craig's horn solo were given with great incisiveness and clearness, while the contrabassos were also heard to advantage. The Auckland Liedertafelagain fully sustained its reputation for refined part-singing, aud were recalled after each of their performances. The glees sung were " Harald " (Werner), "On the Water (Mendelssohn), "He Who Trusts" (Eisenhofer), Hatfcons "Tar Song," beside encore pieces. Messrs. Trenwitli, Wright, Rogerßon, and George received quite an ovation at the end of their vocal quartette, " The Soldier's Love," and in response to an imperative recall they contributed another item. Messrs. Tapper and Reid gave a very successful rendering of Anou's "The Fisherman " as a vocal duet, and were suitably rewarded by the audience. An item of the programme which was much enjoyed and of great excellence was the splendid interpretation of airs from Bellini's opera "La Sonnambula," executed by Messrs. J. and S. Jackson as a duo for oboe and clarinet. A careful performance was given by Miss Stevens of Chopin's " DeuxiSme Scherzo, Op. 31," as a piano solo. The lady entered into the spirit of the music and mastered its technical difficulties with apparent ease. However, in the pianissimo passages; she played rather loudly, bat in the crescendos and fortissimos she was most effective. A capital performance of the much admired waltz " Eatudiantina,," terminated a very successful concert. . '