PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16189, 26 September 1914, Page 3

PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.

The public of Dunedin. was last evening provided with a programme of music by the Philharmonic Society that had two merits: the music was generally well performed, and it was for the most part of a character calculated to stimulate patriotic feeling, if that was needed. The concert appropriately opened with the National Anthem, and was followed by the national air of our brothers in arms, the French, which did not, however, contain the sweeping vim of the " Marseillaise." Many will agree that no more stirring piece of music of a national character has ever been written, but it was not inspiriting as rendered. The peculiar point is that in a very skilfully composed military caprice by Signor Squarise, in "which it occurs, it was presented in something approaching its true -colours. However, France's great song' was only introduced by way of preliminary. A march bv Signor Squarise, which he has named "La Fanfara Militare," was really the opening item, and was given brightly and stirringly. Two compositions of a widely divergent class followed. The first was an intermezzo by Mancinelli, written for the drama " Cleopartra," and the second a pizzicato by Bielli, and though the latter wae attractive in a simple way, neither calls for particular comment. The great piece of the evening, not even excepting Signor Squarise's special contribution, good as it proved, was the symphonic poem " Finlandia," by Sibelius, for the score of which the. society is indebted to Dr A. J. Hall. While the work might not apueal to a great many as a musical composition, it is nevertheless a wonderful creation, and the orchestra appeared to catch the spirit of the composer, changeful as the themes were. Under different conditions the selection might not have appeared in nearly so favourable a light; but the orchestra did its duty worthily and well, and with scarcely a lapse, gave an exceedingly praiseworthy interpretation of a piece of music by no means easily mastered. It was indeed one of many prominent successes achieved by the Philharmonic orchestra. A good deal of interest centred in the specially-composed military caprice by Signor Squarise. It was certainly very cleverly constructed, and was excellent as a musical illustration of stirring events in a military camp, concluding with a call to arms, an engagement with the enemy, terminating -with a successful bayonet charge; sorrowing for the wounded, leading for the finale into the triumphal strains of the "Marseillaise" and "Rule Britannia." The audience became quite enthusiastic over it, and a portion had to be repeated. The remaining orchestral item was a suite by Mouton,' " Impressions Exotiques," which was very enjoyable. Miss Ivy Mazengarb gave a particularly telling and effective recital of Massey's stirring lines on "England Goes to Battle," and had to add "The Old Flag." Miss Mazengarb also recited " Give, Give, Give," during the performance of which a collection was made in aid of the relief fund and realised £17 14s 7d. In this connection it may be mentioned that the takings at the door went in a similar direction. Mr W. Gemmell was the only vocalist, and he made a great impression with his rendering of Schumann's "Two grenadiers." Signor Squarise conducted the orchestra. The concert concluded, as it had begun, with the singing of the National Anthem.