PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19551, 6 August 1925, Page 10

PHILHARMONIC CONCERT.

The third concert of the 21st season of the Philnarmonic Society was given in His Majesty’s Theatre last night, when the building was crowded. The, concert proved a most successful one, and the conductor. Signor It. Squarise, must have felt well satisfied with the spontaneous applause which rewarded the playing of hia orchestra. The chief task set the orchestra was the overture Solenclie '“1812,” by the famous Russian composer Tschaikowsky. The opening largo, for 'cellos and violas, was very nicely played, but the following, movement, by the wood wind and the full orchestra, was hardly handled with sufficient surenesa. The andante, introducing the cavalry fanfare, and the descriptive battle music, were capably interpreted, as was also the music leading up, to the demonstrations of joy at the Russian victory. In the hymn “G-od, Preserve Thy People” the bandsmen of the First Otago Battalion and the St. Kikla Municipal Band joined in with the orchestra and some stirring playing was heard. The church bells lent colour to the performance, but the bandsman who played them was called on to do a little too much. The overture ended with the playing of the Russian National Anthem by the brass instruments, the strings, and wood wind playing the calvary fanfare. A wonderful volume of sound was produced and a stirring crescendo. The audience expressed their approval of the success obtained by the orchestra, by loud and continuous applause, and the last part of the classic was repeated, with even greater success than on the first occasion. 'ln "Ave Maria” (Schubert) the introductory melody for the oornet was beautifully played by Mr Bud Wills, and the pizzicato effects by the strings were also charmingly rendered. "• It was a nice piece of interpretation by the whole orchestra—the , atmosphere of the music being well maintained throughout. "Hymn to the Sea,” by Mascagni, in which is described the\ changes from Night to Day, was sympathetically handled, the ’cellos and violas playing an important part in the interpretation. The balance of the various instruments was nicely carried through, and the players approached the crescendo with plenty of spirit—the bandsmen with the brasses with a little too much maybe. Nevertheless, a stirring climax was achieved. In the overture to the opera “Lo Roi d’Ys” the orchestra was well tested. The playing of the first part was not very impressive. Then followed some nice work by the violas, and' the violins showed good balance, but the brasses were rather uneven at times. The ’cellos were responsible for some sterling work, and towards the end of the piece the orchestra had an* excellent understanding, and the theme was finely interpreted, a thoroughly satisfying climax being reached. “The March of the Allies” (Squarise) was, taking it all through, well done, the St. Hilda bandsmen and those of the First Otago Battalion assisting the orchestra. Once or twice a little uneveness was noticeable amongst the strings,, and, the trombones, moreover, were somewhat too obtrusive at times. A fine effect, however, was obtained at the conclusion of the piece. The melodious “Grands Yiolons dc Roi Louis XV” (Massijklot), and the dainty pizzicato “Silver Belle” were splendidly played, and the concert concluded with “Prelude” (Rachmaninoff). The soloists for the evening were Miss Elsie Bryant and Mr Arthur lAimley. Miss Bryant has a light sweet soprano voice and excellent enunciation. She' sang “Like to the Damask ‘Rose" (Elgar)—the encore number being “A Birthday” (Cowan) —and “One Fine Day” (“Madam Butterfly”), giving as an encore number “Songs My Mother Taught Me” (Dvorak). Miss Bryant’s voice is hardly strong enough yet to cope with the dramatic intensity required in a song like “One Fine Day.” Mr Lnmley has a tine musical voice and splendid enunciation. Ho sang “The Diver” in good style—although a little more animation could have been introduced —and gave as an encore number the beautiful “Drink “to Me Only With Thine Eyes.” His other set song was “Five and Tyenty Sailormen” (Coleridgo-Taylor), to which he invested the requisite spirit and abandon and as an encore number he sang “Inter Nos” (M’Fadyen), another excellent piece of vocalisation. The accompaniments were played by Miss Ida Lmnglcy.