ENTERTAINMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15141, 4 November 1912, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENTS.

MB. -HAROLD GREGSON RECITAL.

That considerable interest was taken in Mr. Harold Grcgson's organ recital was evident from the large audience which j assembled at the Town Hall on Saturday night. There was something exceptional, too, in the heartiness of the prolonged applause which greeted the talented recitalist as ho nude his first appearance npon the platform; and for a considerable space Mr. Gregson was kept busy bowing his acknowledgments before he was permitted to take his seat at the instrument. The programme was evidently chosen with the view of demonstrating Mr. Gregson's command of various schools of organ music, and there is little doubt that on this occasion the popular organist excelled himself: As an exponent of works of the modern

romantio type, or where a certain orchestral tone colour is demanded, Mr. Gregson has had few compeers upon the Town Hall instrument. Prominent in this regard may be cited the organ transcription of Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suite," Op. 46. At Saturday's recital there was a welldefined attempt to reproduce the orchestral effects of the different numbers. An elegant performance was given of the rhythmical "Morning." with its pastoral theme undergoing various changes of key. "Anitra's Banco" was daintily given, the wood-wind suggestions being tastefully introduced. The sombre chords of the number, "Death of Ase" were handled with much expression, while the final selection; of the suite, " In the Hall of the Mountain Kings," showed resource in the handling of the stops as the oft-repeated phrases gained in strength and speed until the thunderous climax was reached.. Wagner's striking Prelude to Act I. of "Parsifal" made a great impression. Much of the power of Wagner's orchestral music is derived from his accurate choice' of the right, tone-colour for the passage in question, and this method was not inaptly applied by the recitalist to the treatment of the " Lave. Faith, and Hope" themes which form the basis of an interesting and impressive number. The string, reed, and brass tones were very well simulated by Mr. Gregson in his search after effective registration of this fine'excerpt. What might almost be described as the "piece de resistance" of the recital was Guil-

mant's striking " Morceau de Concert," being a prelude and theme with variations in G major. The prelude opened with a pedal point, over which Bach-like harmonies made themselves apparent, with ever-increasing volume. Then the theme was ushered in with much expression, and in thin the clarinet ployed no small part. Variation I. embodied much delioate staccato work upon the choir and pedal claviers, as well as horn effects and pizzicato pedalling. Very devotional was the

subdued effect produced by Variation 11., after which Variation 111. ran ite courso in mostly staccato fashion upon the great organ, its message being mostly proclaimed in thirds and sixths. The- difficulties of the Fourth Variation were seldom made apparent, owing to the technical skill of the recitalist. That portion displaying; the principal theme by the right foot on the pedals, with the left playing detached notes below it while the hands are occupied upon the- manuals, would have been better had the theme been monc prominent. The beauties of many of the harmonic progressions were, however, made frequently evident. Mr. Gregson terminated this sterling composition with a fine performance of the f ugal finale, in which both hands and feet were fully employed. In Bach's great Prelude and Fugue in A". Minor, one of those works which' constitute the very thews and sinews of organ literature, Mr. Gregson showed technical resource and commendable independence, while in Devred's "Priere and Offerteire" much diversity as regards the stop changes was . demanded. Dudley Buck's "At Evening" was a veritable musical poem, 1 and the softer stops were skilfully requisitioned in Salome's " Cantilevo 'in A Minor." Mr. Gregson's final number was a dramatic and inspiring treatment of the graphic "'Bide of the Valkyries" (Wagner). Mr. Gregson was heartily applauded after each contribution, and encore pieces were given at intervals. Valuable assistance was lent at tho recital by Mr. Barry Coney, who sang with much acceptance the Prologue to " Pagliacci " (Leoncavallo), and the late Coleridge-Taylor'a stirring "Five and Twenty Sailormen." Mr. Coney had to respond after each appearance with new songs.

"THE MIKADO."The presentation of the favourite opera,• "The Mikado," by the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society was witnessed by a crowded house on Saturday night. The rough edges inseparable from the' first nights have now worn off, and consequently the performance went with a swing. The work of all the principals showed marked improvement, and the choruses were far above the usual amateur standard. Mr. Tom Pollard, under whose sole supervision the opera is produced, is to bo congratulated upon such a success. A word of praise is also duo to tho orchestra, who are now working splendidly under the baton of Mr. Frances Cornwall.

OPERA HOUSE. Among the new artists appearing at the Opera House this evening are Black and Bronte, the cosmopolitan sketch artists and comedy players. .Mr. Black, is a Scotch comedian and monologuist. Both artist are said to be first-grade reciters and to be possessed of. excellent voices. Les Bow, the Continental performers, appear in a new striking feature act. The Serenadera, Musical Huxhams, Lieutenant Stoff. and remaining members of the company will appear in fresh acts and items.

J FORESTERS' THEATRE, ONEHUNGA. The Foresters' Theatre, Onehunga, was exceedingly well patronised on Saturday afternoon and, evening, and the excellent programme of. Queen's pictures met with universal approval. The proprietors evidently intend that the new theatre should be conducted on first-class lines, and if the programmes submitted are up to Saturday's standard the Queen's pictures should have a very large circle of patrons in Onehunga. Of a lengthy series of pictures screened, the adaptation .of Charles Dickens's famous novel, " Martin Chuzzlewit," might be considered tho star film, although tho relative merit of the whole scries was just on a par of excellence. A beautiful scenic was " The Italian Lakes," and a most interesting subject was "Sheep Shearing in New Mexico." "A Race for a Bride" was full of exciting incident. The comic pictures had the quality of being genuinely amusing, and provoked much laughter. The proprietors announce that performances will be given on Wednesday and Saturday evenings, with a special' matinee on Saturday afternoon.

PICTURE ENTERTAINMENTS. The usual change of programme will be given at the Newton Picture Palace today, when an interesting series of pictures will be screened.

A complete change of programme will ! bo presented to-night at the King's 1 Theatre. The programme is an interesting one. and includes the following subjects : —" The Lake of Dreams," "Nallie, the Lion Tamer" (a sensational drama, in which a number of lions take part), "The Inner Circle," "The Half-breed's Treachery" (drama), "The Cotton Industry" (industrial), "Highways and Byways of England" (scenic), "Buster in Nodland" (comic), "Italian Cavalry," :.'•«Madame Demode " etc. New musical selections will be rendered by Mr. E. J. Burke's orchestra. . ; ,- A budget of interesting pictures will be shown at the Lyric Theatre for the'first time today. Dramatic, scenic, and comic

items of a high-class character will Wfe rated, the qua ity of whirl, is tvfiyZ theatre.. 118 ' 8 standard set fa th » The Royal Albert, Hall was again well attended on Saturday. "A Ghost of the ■fast is a v ory striking picture in the. current programme. . "A Sicilian Tragedy" a the star film On. > P«^ ft ««»e to be shown at ho T^S- lhe - m fo r the " rst ti,ne to-day! arranrfeH 1 " '* f d ' the views splendidfv abov« B fiL-r 11 ', 6 Story itself exflti "ff- The Coast ofV : «h su PP° rted by "Off the Least of Maine" (scenic , "A Ovid's Pemo??,l(d,^ma) - "Leap Year" (cornS and "The Girl at the Quay" (dram™

ONEHUNGA LYCEUM. A new programme was screened on Saturday night, at the Lycemn Theat™ Onehunga. The pictures were under the management of Hayward's Enterprises "Limited, and were much appreciated tv a largo audience. The leading feature 5 the, programme was » very finely-staged drama. A* routing Western drama entitled "Th« A,o of Spades, was also weSl received. An instructive and amusing native study film was shown m "Baby Animal,." a scenic subject of great beautv. "By th» Zuyder Zee," was also screened. The excellent programme was completed by the i athe Gazette, and many amusing cornier subjects, the two most, popular* beiag Help; Help!" and "Diddums Diddlesj a Policeman." . '