EXHIBITION ORCHESTRA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13484, 10 May 1907, Page 3

EXHIBITION ORCHESTRA.

SECOND PERFORMANCE. ANOTHER splendid programme was given at the Choral Hall last evening, in the presence of an enthusiastic audience of music-lovers, who occupied a considerable portion of the available seating accommodation. Seeing, however, that the Exhibition Orchestra has been, and still is, without a compeer in these southern latitudes, it is passing strange that the Choral Hall is not found all too small to accommodate the large army of musical enthusiasts who should be hocking thitherward.

'the opening overture was. Von Suppe's "Poet and Peasant," a work some may consider a trifle hackneyed as things move nowadays. Last night's presentment by the famous orchestra-not'only proved an artistic success in the fullest sense, Out many new beauties were unfolded as the selection proceeded. The opening " Andante" was a masterpiece of cantabile phrasing on the part of the brass-wind and lighter strings, wnile great resource was displayed by the 'cellos in their exposition of the pleasing theme. The Allegro strepitoso" was heralded by crashing tremolo passages, after which a surprising precision in attack and release was observable as the movement became more involved. In the syncophated chords the violins moved • with machine - like - precision and sonorous tone. The finished phrasing of the "' Valse" portion was delightful, and the return to the " Allegro" was marked by prodigious volume and criepnes3. After a brief section of the " Vabc" theme interposed, the concluding "Allegro" was entered upon. Herfe, as before, the remarkable unanimity of the players was observable, ' while the whirling semiquavers in the concluding atretto appeared almost cyclonic in their vehemence. As the'final chord pealed forth, the outburst of applause was so emphatic anu prolonged that a recall number was graciously given. Tina proved to be Saint-Saens' " The Deluge," in which the violin solo was splendidly, given by Mr. Geo. Weston. Great refinement of execution on the part of the strings was a prominent feature of the entr'acte, to ■'" Mignou" (A. Thomas), and the contribution was heartily applauded. . As a conclusion, to the first portion of the programme, Wagner'sgreat overture to "The Flying Dutchman" was played.: V Hero every '„ player was alert to convey the desired impression of the great, composer's picturesquely-powerful orchestra-: lion. With Wagner the orchestra apparently possessed no limitations in. the matter' of conveying intensely-dramatic, or even atmospherio effects, and in this remarkable overture he would seem to have approached the attainment of his unfettered ideas. The interpretation of this selection was memorable, and its reception.was one of the events of the evening, Mr. Alfred Hill being required to again arid again bow ;his' acknowledgments to • a delighted' assembly. In the second part the orchestra were well suited in Massenet's Scenes-.: Pittoresque," four charmingly-characteristic morccaox, which included (a) March,'' (b) "Air de Ballet," (c) " Angelus," (d) ' Pete Boheme." In the first-named the skilful themes and various contrapuntal devices gave great pleasure to the listener. In- the " Air de Ballet" the leading motif was phrased by the 'cellos with considerable purity of tone. The responsive passages between, the woodwind and 'cellos marked care in interpretation. In the " Angelus" the devotional themes were played with the utmost taste, while the lights and shades impregnating the whole ranged over an extensive field. The Pete Boheme"— of the series— a, forceful, yet refined, exposition of involved .technicalities, full of syncopations and quaint melodies. » There was' never a- suspicion hesitation in the attack, and the entire number was characterised by freshing abandon and breadth of style. Con'eluding orchestral numbers of the programme were ;.the..dainty "Aubade > Printaniere" (Lacombe). and Mendelssohn s fine overture, ■ " Ruv ' Bias." :.These 'were, it is 'needless 'to- add',' skilfully -played, and received with acclaim. . -Mr. Gladstone Bell gave an ideal interpretation of the 'cello solo, " Cantabile" (Cesar Cui), and was compelled to repeat the number, and the same remark applies to Mr. J. Jackson's exposition of the oboe solo. "Love Song" (Taubert). In both of these, and particularly -the latter, the orchestral accompaniment was of gossa-mer-like "delicacy .of treatment. . Mr. Alfred Hill conducted in his usual unapproachable. manner. Never was suggestion to his forces wanting, and his control throughout proved him to be the compelling force that he is". Mr. George Weston's lead was always reliable, and his work throughout the evening suggested the musician of mature attainments and experience. Mr. John Prouse was programmed for the vocal numbers, "O Ruddier than the Cherry 1 (Handel) and " It is Enough," from Mendelssohn's "Elijah." Both of these were sung with telling effect, and vigorously recalled, his encore selection in the first part being the celebrated "Toreador's ■ Song" _ from Biset's "Carmen." During , the evening: it was announced thutt owing to a number of requests, a matinee- performance would be given in the Choral Hall on Saturday afternoon. The programme to-night embraces many gems of. orchestration., ; v