BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16215, 28 April 1916, Page 7

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA.

The new season of that popular musical body, the Bohemian Orchestra, opened auspiciously at t'ae Town Hall last night, A very large audience was present, ami the instrumentalists, under Mr. Colin Muston, presented a varied and interesting programme. Notwithstanding the fact that the society has for the time being lost the services of several of its performing members, who are now serving at the front, practically all the orchestral departments were well served. In particular the general ensemble and intonation of the forces were noteworthy feature?, and tils technical excellence, especially of the violins, was at times very noticeable. The brass players, too, used much lodgment in producing their varied effects. The conductor showed much resource in securing the artistic results obtained in each selection. On the programme were two pieces new to Auckland, principal of these being Elgar's Symphonic Prelude, "Polonia." This great work was only recently performed at a concert for the Polish Victims' Relief Fund, in the Queen's Hall, London. It is dedicated to Paderewski, and has been, composed to swell the Polish funds in l.he same way that the samo composer's "Carillon" was written to augment the Belgian funds. The now work shows much graphic power, and is noteworthy for the masterly way in which certain Polish themes are handled. In the treatment of these the famous British composer shows a wonderful faculty for skilfully employing the different departments of the orchestra. The polyphonic* writing is masterly, and the scoring, from the lowest mutterings of the doublebasses to the highest violin -tones, is strikingly ingenious. Apart from th« orchestral treatment of the Polish theme?. more familiar ground was trodden in the paraphrasing of Chopin's well-known "Nocturne " in (i Minor. Here the woodwind and string department had much that was pleasing to perform. In the moving finale to tho work the declamation of the full orchestral forces was satisfying to the artistic sense. Keler Beta's overture, " Rakoczy," was another selection which gWe much pleasure. Full of lights and shades, and whimsical as ;i Hungarian rhapsody, it showed throughout the composer's sure knowledge of the effect he desired to produce. The lighter scoring was in striking contrast to the heavier harmonies, while the rapid stria,' flights terminated by outbursts from the heavy wind and the finely orchestrated work for the brass alone wero uncommon features. The quicker rhythms were incisively presented, the whole forming an exhilarating tone-picture. A pot-pourri of airs from Mascagnis "Cavalleria Rusticana" showed both executive and expressive skill, and incidentally ~,'avo opportunity for neatly-phrased cornet and oboe solos. The wood-wind was somewhat uncertain in the earlier stages of the excerpt, " 0, Rejoice that tho Lord has Arisen," although tho reinforcement of the themo in its final orchestral declaration was adequately impressive. Mackenzie's concert-piece, "Bene dictus," was mainly responsible for a wellbalanced display of violin playing, whil" the other orchestral selections, "Entry of the Gladiators" (Fuick) and Michel's " Russian Rhapsodie," showed the orchestra to much advantage. Mr. Geo. Poors gave a brilliant performance of tho popular piccolo solo, " The Wren " (Damare), with orchestral accompaniment, and was heartily encored. Mr. Barry Coney, vho •was in good voice, gave a'fine temperamental ra.ding of Alfred Hill's "Tangi." with orchestral accompaniment, and followed with the New Zealand composer's " Waiata Poi " by way of recall. In ih^ second part of the programme Mr. Coney sang Woodman's "An Open Secret," aim as an encore gave a well-judged rendciing of Bleichmami's great Russian song, " The Convoy." Mr. Harold Gregson provided effective pianoforte accompaniments. The thanks of the society aie accorded to Mr. I'. Little for providing motor-cars, in which returned soldier? were driven to and from the concert.