MAREO ORCHESTRA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21899, 7 September 1934, Page 15

MAREO ORCHESTRA

BEETHOVEN'S "NINTH" A MUSICAL LANDMARK BRILLIANT VIOLIN WORK Twenty-five years after its last performance in Auckland, Beethoven's tremendous work, the Ninth Symphony, was presented by the Mareo Orchestra at a notable concert in the Town Hall last night. The symphony was undoubtedly the most ambitious work the orchestra has yet attempted, and the conductor, Mr. Eric Mareo, is to be congratulated on affording an Auckland audience the opportunity to hear a composition which on account of its length and difficulty is comparatively seldom heard even in the great musical centres of the world. The symphony, best known as' the "Choral,'' is notable for the use of soloists and choir in the final movement. Beethoven was least successful as a composer for the human voice, and a great controversy has always raged over the task he set the singers in the "Choral" symphony. A choir of about 100 voices was assembled for last night's performance, and in view of the difficulties presented, a very creditable rendering was given. A feature of the choral singing was the effective use of crescendo. The soloists were Mis 3 Doris Bransgrove, soprano; Mrs. Gwen de Berg, contralto; Mr. Roger Errington, tenor; and Mr. Gibbons Taylor, bass. The orchestral portion includes some of the most magnificent music Beethoven ever wrote. Composed in 1824, at the zenith of his power and just before his tragic deafness made it impossible for him ever to hear the work adequately,, it summarises his emotional outlook on life. The first movement, in all its sombre beauty, is followed by an allegro in which gaiety and grace are predominant, and finally the bold, assertive phrase to which the words of Schiller's "Ode to Joy" are later set, is announced by the basses and repeated through the whole range of the orchestra. Thd work occupies JSO minutes of playing time, but last night's performance, by its precision, its light and shade, and its fine balance of tone, enthralled the audience. A personal triumph was achieved by Mr. Vincent Aspey in Lalo's ,fSymphonie Espagnole," which was in some lespects the finest item of the programme. Although termed a symphony, the composition is virtually a violin concerto. Mr. Aspey's playing of the solo part was characterised by the sureness of technique and the feeling interpretation which are always associated with him. • The orchestra assisted him brilliantly. At the conclusion, an ovation was accorded b.v the audience to soloist and orchestra. An interesting item on the programme was "FleurantS," a flute duet, with orchestral accompaniment, composed by Mr. Will Henderson, a member of the orchestra. It had melodic simplicity and charm, and was very enthusiastically received. The duettists were the composer and Mr. V. Cater. "Weber's "Invitation to the Waltz" was given with true Viennese gaiety and lightness, and the concert was concluded with a repeat performance of Ravel's "Bolero," with its insistent rhythm and tremendous climax.