FAMOUS GUARDS BAND

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22010, 17 January 1935, Page 12

FAMOUS GUARDS BAND

OPIN-AIR PERFORMANCE LARGE AUDIENCE PRESENT SUCCESS OF EXPERIMENT Under a cloudless summer evening's sky, over 24,000 people heard the Grenadier Guards Band play in Carlaw Park last night. It was a memorable experience for every member of the great audience. From every point of view the decision to present, open-air concerts by the band was fnilv justified. Long before seven o'clock crowds wore streaming into the park and bv 7.45 all seats in the grandstand and on the terraces were occupied. Then tho grass banks were taken possession of and finally hundreds took up positions on part of the playing area. The applause that broke forth when Major G. Miller, musical director, led his men out to the platform, which had been erected in front of tho grandstand, was a fine tribute to the reputation of a band which is known throughout the world, while the enthusiasm which was displayed after each number showed that expectations had been more than confirmed. At the conclusion of the concert cheer after cheer was given for the bandsmen and their conductor Conditions were ideal for such an open-air recital. There was not a breath of wind to distort the music, while the acoustic properties of the natural amphitheatre made it possible for even the most delicate passages to be heard sharply almost to the confines of the grounds. No finer setting for an evening of music could havo been wanted than the background of trees silhouetted against the sky, while on the dark terraces of the western side the glow of countless cigarettes enhanced the unusual charm of tho scene. In its freedom from tho constrained atmosphere of the concert hall, the open-air performance brought out to the (full .the significance of band music as essentially music to be enjoyed by all classes of the community, popular Compositions The programme naturally did not aim to present any abstruse musical works. Such would have been out of place. Instead, melodious and rhythmical compositions of immediate appeal were chosen, and were transformed, by. the brilliance of their execution, into •works which captured the interest of even the most captious critics of programme arrangement. To those who had not heard the band previously the fully orchestral tonal range was a revelation. Ihe delicate work of the wood-winds and the restraint of the most massive brass instruments were aspects of the perfect control which is maintained by the band as a whole, but even when the great sweeping crescendos were called for they were given with the same perfect balance and precision.

The pageantry and inspiration of the hand as a military unit were demonstrated on its first appearance when, in the brilliant scarlet and gold uniforms and the famous bearskins, the band carried out manoeuvres first to a quickstep and later to a slow march. Before mounting the platform, however, the bandsmen substituted service caps for their more picturesque headgear. Saint-Saens' "Marche Heroique," with its martial rhythm, was chosen for the opening number, and what can bo made rather a banal composition was treated with a restraint which brought out to the full its subtleties of "orchestration." The lilting melodies of Romberg's "Student Prince" proved very- popular and as an encore the band showed amazing delicacy in its rendering of the charming "Gavotte" from Thomas' "Mignon." It was in the third number, a little-known suite, "L'Africaine" by Lacoine, however, that the band, changing from the courtly grace of an old-time ba.llroom to the exotic and colourful atmosphere of a Morocearf market-square, gave the most vivid demonstration of its tonal resources. The suite was a most attractive one, with its curious Oriental use of the oboes and clarinets and its persistent syncopated rhythm, and it provided opportunities for all sections of the band. As an encore, an attractive little piece, "The Fairies' Rendezvous," was played. Variety of Items The finest work of the evening was Mendelssohn's airy fantasy, the "Midsummer Night's Dream " overture. This was given with poignant grace which captured perfectly the spirit of fairyland essential to its interpretation. Selections from well-known operettas are always popular, and the series of airs from "The Yeomen of the Guard" (Sullivan) and "The Maid of the Mountains" (Fraser-Simson) proved no exception to the rule. As encores, the humorous arrangement of the song " Has Anyone Here Seen Kelly; 1 " and two hymns, "Abide With Me" and "Onward Christian Soldiers," were enthusiastically received. A singularly impressive effect was attained in the first hymn by the use of a hidden brass quartet. Among the most, popular items on the programme were the cornet and piccolo solos. Musician J. J. Walsh, cornetist, showed mastery of technique and beautiful tone in his solos, "]1 Bacio" (Arditi), "Sicilictta" and "Land of Hope and Glory," in the chorus of which the audience joined. Musician E. Bowen was equally well received for his clever playing of the piccolo solos, " The Dragon Fly " and "La Grivc." As a conclusion to a notable programme, Ganne's "Mazurka Ecossaise" was played with verve. FINAL CONCERT TO-NIGHT FIREWORKS DISPLAY In view of the success of the open-air concert given by the Grenadier Guards Band at Carlaw Park last night Messrs. J. and N. Tait have made arrangements for a farewell appearance of the band on the same grounds to-night. In addition, there will bo a spectacular display of fireworks to commemorate the concluding performance of the band on its New Zealand tour. Although a lavish display, the fireworks will only be visible from Carlaw Park itself. The various effects will include flash Romans, Catherine wheels, caxon cross, tree pieces, cracker bags, Venetian fountain, serpents, devil among the tailors, silver waterfall, aerial maroons, a bouquet of coloured Roman candles, electric Romans, basket bombs and a rising moon. The order of events will be:—Guards Band, 8 to 9; fireworks, 9.15 to 9.40; Guards Band, 9.45 to 10; fireworks, 10. As the display should make a special appeal to children, they will be admitted to all parts of the ground at a reduced rate. Concessions also will be available for families. The gates will open at six o'clock and from then on thero will be an augmented tram service. As the Grenadier Guards Band will sail for London to-morrow afternoon this will be the last opportunity of hearing them. Booking arrangements are advertised.