PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18293, 9 July 1921, Page 15

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY

It has been said that Tschaikowsky is himself and no other. If his orchetaral music bo under considera-tion we cannot but bo - struck with ids wonderful talent for colour, the sensuous beauty of his melodies, and his masterful wielding of the material even in a commonplace folk song. Ischaikowsky was the Slav, and there is no getting away from it in his music. The barbarous ring and swing of some of his movements and the peculiar lilt of the rhythmic variations employed have the undercurrent of a deep pulling sadness. He is never at a loss for melody. Although the “1812” is more in the nature of depicting strife and battle, there is the opening prayer of the Russian people and the triumphant note of victory in the grand climax and a theme of thankfulness uplifted in the Russian Hymn in the finale. It is highly dramatic, and on Tuesday week the Philharmonic in its performance will have the assistance of the Fourth Regimental and members of the St. Kilda jUind—in all a company of about 120 performers. An arrangement of “Stnhnt Mater” (Rossini) melodies, by Signor Squarise, makes a very pleasing number. The prelude to the first Act to “Lohengrin.” largely written for strings, has usually mot with a good reception, and now that the orchestra are familiar with every note of the music more attention can bo focussed on interpretation. These are some of the features of a proprmme of a most diversified character. The vocalists are Miss Horniblow, of Timnru. and Mr Jns. Gibson, neither of whom are unknown to Dunedin audiences. The concert is in His Majesty’s Theatre on Tuesday week, July 19.