BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21247, 29 July 1932, Page 12

BOHEMIAN ORCHESTRA

PACE OF A MINUET CONDUCTOR'S TWO VERSIONS NOVELTY DURING SYMPHONY Mozart's Symphony in D and Liszt's famous piano fantasia "Ungarischo, with Mr. Eric Waters at tho piano, were the two principal works performed by tho Bohemian Orchestra at tho Town Hall last evening. A largo audience listened appreciatively, and enthusiastically applauded tho orchestra, tho conductor, Mr. Colin Muston, and the assisting artists. Tho programme opened with an operatic flair, Mr. Len Barnes singing tho prologue from "I Pagliacci," with full orchestral accompaniment. Ho had studied the piece well, but a littlo more pianissimo was required from the orchestra give proper scopo for his voice. In Respighl s "La Boutique Fantasque," embodying melodies from Rossini, the orchestra essayed an excursion into impressionistic realms. This suite, for long a favourite with the Russian Ballet under Diaghilef, makes merry with the spirit of tho dance, and Mr. Muston nicoly captured its own peculiar idiom. Tempo of the Minuet The Mozart work was splendidly done. There was a good balance between strings and brass in the bold, robust opening of the subject, and the graceful andante, in which the strings played to perfection, so delighted the audience that there was a break in the continuity of the symphony while the house expressed its feelings in applause. Thpre was commendable unity, too, in the spirited playing of the rondo. Mr. Muston adopted the unusual course of stopping the orchestra half-way through the symphony and announcing his intention of demonstrating the varying tempi at which two famous conductors, Toscanini and Sir Henry Wood, are in tho habit of playing the minuet which comprises the third movement. He proceeded to take the piece at what is usually understood to be tho normal pace for a minuet, immediately repeating the movement at double tho speed which, he said, was the tempo favoured by Sir Henry Wood. Mr. Muston gave no inkling as to his own preference, but left the audience to debate the matter among themselves. A Sullivan Overture Sir Arthur Sullivan's "Overture di Bnllo," full of the delicate trifles and dance rhythms that endeared his operas to tho world, received a smooth, scholarly performance. Particularly good were the woodwinds, while the typical Savoyurd finish was all that could be desired. Haydn's "Hymn to Emperor," embracing variations for strings on the famous hymn tune, produced a thoroughly rehearsed and sympathetic performance whicli awakened responsive echoes, while Friedmann's "Slavonic Rhapsody" gave full scope for a tremendous finish. The Liszt piano variation? were among the most successful items in a thoroughly enjoyable programme. Mr. Waters followed the portentous opening with clearcut notes and no hint of hesitancy. The familiar melody and its attendant trills were played with brilliance and feeling, while each successive choir was introduced with admirable decision. The soloist received warm applause and played an old French composition as an encore. Miss Alys Moncur who, at the age of 21, was making her first appearance with tho Bohemian Orchestra, contributed two enjoyable contralto solos, " 0 Love from thy Power," from "Samson and Delilah" (Saint Saens), and "An Eriskay Love Lilt" (Kennedy Frascr). Both merited and received recalls. Mr. Harry Woolley was the accompanist.