PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 947, 30 April 1879, Page 2

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Last night's performance, the fifth concert given bj' this Society, is noticeable as being the first at which the band, recently formed under the leadership of Mr. Jones, has taken part. The immense advantage of stringed accompaniments can hardly be overrated, especially in such music as masses, oratorios, &c. , and very great credit is due to every performer for the way the band played throughout Farmer's composition. We do not for one moment assert that there is not plenty of room, for improvement, but a regular attendance at practice will quickly remedy any shortcomings, and we hope a strong esprit de corps will stimulate every member of the Society to attain as nearly as possible perfection. The chorus showed a marked improvement in their leads, by, with one or two exceptions, picking up the parts with more promptitude than at any previous concert. The " Kyrio," an andante, came first. The treble solo in this was sung truly and evenly, and was beautifully finished. The "Gloria" following was led off with much spirit, and well sustained throughout. The opening symphony to the " Qui Tollis," an exceedingly pretty piece of instrumentation, was given with great care and good effect. Both this and the "Quoniam" went fairly, and the fugue " Cum Sancto," perhaps the most difficult piece in the whole work, was rendered m? gnificently. The voices and instruments worked well together, and the time was kept admirably; the runs with which the movement abounds followed each other with precision and spirit, and the finale was perfect. In this piece the double bass and violoncello contributed no inconsiderable share to the general success, and iii the "Etlncarnatus " the latter instrument was handled with taste and skill. The solo " And was incarnate " sounded .very pleasantly, and the bass run in the quartette went steadily and evenly. One of the most elegant passages in the Mass is the " Benedictus," the solo part of which was sustained thoroughly well by an old favorite. The " Agnus Dei" and "Dona Nobis" brought the first part of the concert to an end. We are sorry that so few altos, tenors, and basses take part in the Society's efforts, but those who sang the parts last evening were good vocalists, and some of them would do credit to any Society. Before concluding our notice of the Mass, we would suggest that where solo passages occur the accompaniments should be very much more subdued; several of the solos were quite overpowered by the instruments. A just appreciation of the difference between piano and forte is no light matter. The picture to be beautiful must contain both light and shade, and so it is with music. The second portion of the programme, comprising miscellaneous selections, was evidently much liked by the audience, and deservedly so, each item being applauded, and some of the encores demanded could not be denied, for the re-demand was so persistent. God save the Queen followed the last quartette, and brought the concert to a conclusion. Mrs. Brunton presided at the piano, and Mr. J. G. Finch acted as conductor and Mr. G. Jones as leader.