MR McGLASHAN’S CONCERT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 787, 1 April 1887, Page 24

MR McGLASHAN’S CONCERT.

Mr John MoGlashan’s first annual orchestral concert, which was given at the Theatre Royal last Friday, attracted a fairly numerous and very appreciative audience, notwithstanding the s tormy weather. The orchestra, which has been carefully drilled by Mr MoGlasban, of whose pupils it is chiefly composed, numbered thirty performers, distributed as follows : —First violins, Mrs Dunlop, Misses Devereux and Grubb, Messrs E. Anderson, F. Chisholm, W. Denton, J. H. Jack, J. W. Jack, E. Maginnity, R. J. Pope, J. Stevenson ; second violins, Misses Hedgeland, N. Hedgeland, Messrs M. Denton, N. Grubb, W. Steel, YV. Wbitehouse, and C. Young; viole, Messrs W. R. Kirker, J. H. Pope ; violoncelli, Messrs F. DentoD, F. S. Pope; contrabass!, Messrs Isherwood and A. P. Mason; flute, Mr C. Hill; clarinetti, Rev P. N. Hunter and Mr Murdoch ; cornets, Messrs G. J. Gray and W. Jupp ; euphonium, Mr G. M. Ewen ; drum, Mr R. Robinson. The programme was wholly of a light, popular, and unambitious character, judiciously framed with theobjectratherof pleasing a general audience than of presenting difficulties to the performers. The orchestral “numbers” iucluded Mendelssohn’s “ Wedding March,” which would have gained in effect by a greater pace; Rossini’s pretty and familiar overture to his early opera “ Tancredi,” and another light and melodious overture by Herman; an original waltz, “First Thoughts,” by Mr McGlashan, and a selection from Rossini’s opera, “ Guillaume Tell.” On the whole the instrumentalists acquitted themselves with credit, giving promise of much merit as they become more and more thoroughly trained. The neatness of the “bowing” on the part of the violinists was highly commendable, and, considering that so many of the performers are very young and inexperienced, they deserve great praise for what they accomplished under Mr McGlashan’s baton. Their most successful efforts were the two overtures, preferably that by Herman, and their least effective piece was the “Tell” selection, in which symptoms of fatigue were noticeable, the excessive heat and closeness of the night doubtless contributing. A pleasing quartet for violins, with pianoforte accompaniment, was creditably played by Messrs Anderson, Maginnity, W. Denton, and M. Denton. Violin solos, consisting of airs respectively from Auber’s “ Masaniello ” nd Donizetti’s “ Elisir d’amore,” were nicely played by Misses N. Hedgeland and Grubb, who displayed much promise, and elicited enthusiastic eneoreß. Mr F. S. Pope may be commended for his violoncello solo, in which he was skilfully accompanied on the harmonium by Mr R. Pope. Mr McGlashan himself played a very pleasing -violin solo—a fantasia on themes from Verdi’s “Trovatore,” which received vociferous applause and a cordial encore. The vocal contributions comprised, two songs each from Mrs Parsons (Across the far blue hills’ and “Kathleen Mavourneen,” the latter being encored) and Mr Jupp (“ The Last Cartridge” and “The Scout”);all were well sungandmuch applauded. The pianoforte accompaniments were nicely played by Mrs Dunlop. Before the performance began, Mr John Jack, on behalf of the orchestra, presented to Mr McGlashan a handsome silver-mounted ebony bflton, as a mark of respect and esteem. The presentation was made by Mr John Jack in a few appropriate words, and was suitably acknowledged by Mr McGlashan.