PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13250, 5 April 1905, Page 5

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

The Duneclin Philharmonic Society's peennd ecncp.rt of (lie season, which was givnn in (lie Garrison Hall last evening, nttraeled a crowded attendance. The conccrt itself was certainly well worthy of such patronage, it bail)? by no means an easy matter to say where any distinct fault could bo fonnd, while merit was very obviously present in pretty well everything the orchestra under Signor Sqtwripoplayed. Minor blemishes there might have been, but there was really nothing sufficiently serious to detract from the general success of the conccrt. One little matter for improvement may, however, bo mentioned in a passing way, and that is, it is scarcely reasonable to extend a five minutes' interval into one of 20 minutes, and expect an audience to amuse and entertain themselves with small talk for such a length of time. Signor Squarise has a very numerous band of players under bis baton, and, numerous os they are, hits them well under control. There is 110 such thing as ignoring the conductor's beat. That, is an essential factor in successful orchestral playing. The most important clement, to success is, however, of course, capablc instrumentalTsis, and, judging from the performance Inst evening, the ladies and gentlemen forming, tho society's orchestra possess a capacity for good playing much above the ordinary, and that capacity is made tho best possible use of by their conductor in the rendering of what is selected for the edification of the audience. The concert opened with 11 Parade miiitaire," a short, brisk composition by the French composes Massenet, which was well played, and proved thoroughly enjoyable. " Dance Bohemienne," the next orchestral selection on (he programme, was even better, and in it there was ti pretty little.bit of solo for the piccolo, which was very well managed. Tho time observed by the orchestra was excellent, and the very lino performance of Gounod's d.incc demanded, and fully justified, the very warm recognition it received at the hands of the audience. " Hie Meistcrsinger von Numbers," fine as it undoubtedly is, and admittedly containing excellent opportunities for orchestral effects, is a rather bewildering composition for those not familiar with the German school of music, and can scarcely bo expected, as a general rule, to meet with favour from a colonial audience. Last evening must have been one of those exceptions that prove the rule, and after the orchestra had conscientiously performed their task, which look a. quarter of an hour to accomplish, the audience were so firmly persuaded it was desirable to hear more that they insisted on hearing an additional live minutes of Wagner before they wero thorough'.}- satisfied. It is understood that the selection has not been previously performed in Dunedin,' hut aftor its reception last evening it is pretty safe to predict it will be heard pguin before long, and those present last evening will no doubt tako advantage or the opportunity of hearing it. " Mote perpetno," by Paganini, involving a, great deal of work for the lirst violins, was ono of the very best items of tho evening, and was among tho best performed. With it was bracketed " Pizzioatc—Arabesque," by the composer Fanehetti, and tnis was also admirably treated, Both these compositions quite hit the taste of the audience, and the last-named had to bo repeated in response to the signals of approval from all parts of the hall. The

" Slavonic dance," by Dvorak, which completed tho orchestral portion of the concert, was a brilliant ending to the orchestral work for tho evening, and, placed earlier on tho programme, would probnbly have received more notice at the hands of tile audience. The singers figuring on the programme were Mrs J{. Hudson and Mr K. F. Foster, jun. Mrs Hudson's first item was " The flower song" from " Faust," which she rendered with skill and good expression. At its conclusion Mrs Hudson received the warm acknowledgments of tho audionce, and was prevailed upon to give an added number, " For the sake of the past," which was exceptionally well rendered,' causing her to be again recalled, a very pretty lullaby being the outcome of Ilia applause. Mr Foster's voice appeared to bo a trilllo light for Hope Temple's. A golden argosy"; but he was very successful in his singing of "An evening song," though he unfortunately became a little husky in the soft passages at tho finish o! tho song. The audienco fully appreciated Mr Foster's cfi'ort, s.nd, complying with the manifest desire to again hear him, lie sang a drinking song, into which he infused a gocd deal of spirit and dash. Miss Amy Cotighlroy is to bo highly complimented 011 her very fine pcrfornmnce 011 tho violin of Saraanto's Hapstoado." Tho composition was exceedingly well treated, nud Mi3s Coughtroy'B playing was a real treat. Her successful accomplishment of a difficult task was rewarded by tlio presentation of two beautiful bouquets. The post of pianist was occupied by Mr U, Cooke, whose accompaniment playing deserves a spccial word of praise.