ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1188, 7 December 1894, Page 33

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Monday’s concert, at the Opera House, so far as the instrumental portion was concerned was a great success. The great feature was, of course, tho Beethoven symphony. In any programme tho test must be the symphony, when there is a symphony by such a master. The society which answers to that test l-equires nothingmore. The answer last night was all that the most exacting musician could require. We observed a shrinkage in the numbers of the musicians, and we observed also the reverse of a shrinkage in the artistic excellence of their performance. They gave us the Beethoven symphony in really admirable and most enjoyable fashion. The “ C ” Symphony is the sprightliest, and, though it has some grand masterly writing, bearing the stamp of the Titan who gave the law to the world for music of this kind, the most simple and readily understandable of the whole series of nine immortal works Beethoven loft behind him under tho title of Symphony. It carries away every audience, and every part of every audience; it fills the air with delight; it lingers in the air after the music is still; it haunts the memory with entrancing recollection. From the opening solemn movement —a mere brief introduction—to the brilliant, vivacious close there is life and movement, grace, gaiety, refinement, the healthiest, manliest, tenderest, freshest vigour; It is rich in changing- colour of orchestration beyond the power of language to describe; it has changes of the most enthralling description, its many repetitions are ever welcome, it levies contribution on every resource of the art musical. What it means wo know not; what it conveys to our minds precisely wo care not. It cairies us away on its broad bosom of melodies most charming and richest harmonies, we ask not whither, content to be borne along with all that grace and beauty and masterful power, with flowerscented breezes above and the deepthroated thunder below; with but one regret—that the hour must come when we have to read “ Finis,” to bewail that the fairy dream is over, to mourn that all is over before the stii-rings of all that is bestin us can be formed and voiced, and set in imperishable beneficent record for all

time. Such are the immortal symphonies of the great master; and this one of last night is the one most easily understanded of the people. We take pains to explain these things, because it is the sincerest compliment to the conductor and his musicians to tell them that their style of production filled us with these high thoughts and unsatisfied longings. They \Vill understand that their skill took its away from all thought of the • necessary mechanical skill. It would be bootless to discuss whether this was tuneless or that tame. Suffice it that they gave us the thing that came from the heart and brain of the master, with all its wonders of grace and beauty and lofty-compelling purpose, just as it came. There are bette*' orchestras in the world ; probably thousands of them. But this one gave us the work of the master as it ought to be given. We can say no more, and nothing more is needed. .

The PreCiosa overture from the same instruments was good also, but not up to that form. The same cannot be said of the two “ entr’actes,” which were performed in a manner worthy of the standard established in the. symphony. To the second of those, Thomas’ Mignon music, the rare honour of a recall was accorded, and we were thankful to hear again that most dainty composition. The “ Raymond ” Overture, a fine spirited and also in parts singularly dainty composition, was the concluding number. A special number was the “ Air Varie ” composed by the conductor, Mr Hill, and played to the orchestral accompaniment of the Society, and played in parts exceedingly well by Miss Kennedy, a pupil of Mr Hill’s. The work is taking, in parts weird in character, the. melody very finely supported by the full orchestra. The lady lias a fine .tone, some command of very good technique ; she has the musical intelligence necessary for playing intricate music of great length from memory entirely. That an amateur so young played so long a piece of music and one so intricate without the aid of paper or prompter is * a great proof of her capacity. That she succeeded so well is a tribute to the capacity of the man who trained her. We want more exhibitions of this kind, for that is the best way of forming young talent and making it ambitious. We venture, without any disparagement, to anybody, to suggest that in future the music for debutantes ought to be music of established reputation, and well known. The length was so great in this case that in the middle movement the debutante became nervous and played frequently out of tune. It would be better for the composer on these occasions to choose a more seasoned performer, leaving to debutantes the easier task of producing compositions that are well and favourably known." The vocal music was supplied by Madame Shea'th * (Ernani’s Involami) and Mrs Greenwood (Bowen’s “The Children’s Homo”). As both ladies were overweighted by thei,r selections, the vocal rpusic was the weak part of the concert. The orchestral .portion, however, was all that could.be desired, and the concert was therefore most enjoyable—ai distinct advance in the right direction. We compliment all concerned.