SECOND CONCERT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22497, 14 August 1936, Page 14

SECOND CONCERT

BOHEMIAN OKCIIESTM A VARIED PROGRAMME APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE To a fairly large audience tho Bohemian Orchestra gave its second concert of the season in the Town Hall last night. The programme was well varied, appealing mainly to tho popular tasto. In tho opening number, the overture "Anacrcon" (Cherubini), all tho string players and in particular the first violins produced a fine rich tone and gave a clean performance throughout. The conductor, Mr. Colin Muston, did not once orerdo the expression. Both "Hhapsodie Norvegienne" (Svendsen) and "Theme and Six Diversions" (Sir Edward Gorman), which followed, however, could have .been played with a little inoro precision at times. Tho "Finale" of the first-named might liavo been carried on a little more strongly to its climax. As a result of the appealing lilt in "Handel in tho Strand" (Grainger), a clog dance for pianos and string orchestra, tho audience, by thunderous applause, recalled the pianists, Mrs. C. Prime and Mr. G. H. Wool ley. it was rather a pity that two compositions of similar structure, "The Mystic Isle," and "Le Carnival des Animaux," were placed together on the programme. "The Mysti§ Isle," which was donducted by the composer, Mr. W. Henderson, was so warmly received that ho played part of it a second timo. The composition itself is not without merit, the effects once or twice deserving favourable mention. Although conducting it himself, the composer must surely have felt greater need for more intensity on two or three occasions. Such would have made his ideas more convincing. Judging by tho laughter all over the hall "Le .Carnival des Animaux" (Saint Saens) provided humour. The imitation of the many various animals at tho zoo by various members of tho orchestra was quite well done. Tho last item embraced selections from "New Moon."

In their duct "Dito alia Giovine" from "La Traviata," Miss Gwencla Weir and Mr. Hobert Simmers gave quite a good interpretation of the feelings one character }i;ul ior tlio other iu tfio opera. This item was somewhat marred by the orchestra, which at the beginning was badly out of tune. Miss Weir displayed artistic insight in her solos, "Oh What Comes Over the Sea" and "Song of tlio Open," her tone always being pure and fresh. The naturalness of her singing adds to the delight of the listener. Mr. Robert Simmers, in spite oi the fact that ho had a heavy cold, gave the two contrasted numbers, "Four by the Clock" and "Hills," careful interpretation. Apart from being a. little weighty at times, Mr. Alan Pow played the accompaniments sympathetically.