ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19804, 1 June 1926, Page 10

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY’S CONCERT.

The Dunedin Orchestral Society gave the first concert of the season in His Majesty’s Theatre last evening, the very large audience being treated to a really fine performance of music of a miscellaneous character. Mr J Coombs, the conductor of the orchestra, is to be complimented upon his judicious selection from the works of those who compose on both grave and gay lines. The two outstanding examples of this on the one side were Moussorgsky’s "Une nuit sur le Mont Chauve” and Schu hert’s “Unfinished Symphony," and on the other side selections from “The Gondoliers” and three dances from “Henry VIII," between which came Mendelssohn's tuneful overture “Son and Stranger.” To particularise the playing of the National Anthem was followed by a remarkably fine performance of the march from \Vagner’s opera

“Tannhauser.” The march is by no means unfamiliar to lovers of music, and the majesty of the work was brought out fully For the unqualified success attending the «lforts of the orchestra all taking part in me playinjr of the march are to be equally commended. That is not always the case with an orchestra. It fairly often happens that the bigger section of an orchestra, doing good work, is upset by the smaller section, but in the march from ‘Tann hauser” the playing was good in every de partment—strings, woodwind, and Moussorgsky’s “Night on Mount Chauve’ i< a very successful attempt to portray the wicked doings of witches and evil spirits, which are disturbed by the tolling of a bell for matins. The playing of the fantasia requires a lot of colour to give it adequate interpretation, and ft has to be admitted that the orchestra had been well coached In this direction. The most effective portion of a wellplayed selection was where the sound of the chapel bell suddenly interrupts the unholy rites of the evil spirits. Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” was as perfectly played as anyone could desire. In the "first movement the beautiful air that occurs frequently was very nicely rendered, by more than one section of the orchestra in rotation. Crescendo passages were well managed, and the massive chords incidental to the piece were delivered with great effect. The methods to he observed in the second movement are mostly of a quiet order, and here again the orchestra reached a very high standard of playing. “Son and Stranger” is a very tuneful composition, and is one of Mendelssohn’s most charming works. It is picturesque, and was presented in that form Probably the difficulties are not so great as in some of the other selections played, but “Son and Stranger” demanded the careful treatment it received. The overture was one of the most pleasing contributions heard during the evening. The beautiful air with which the overture closes was very nicely played. The most popular item on the programme was the collection of airs from Sullivan’s comic opera, “The Gondoliers.” The selection was well played throughout, but the minuet that is introduced by the Duke of Plazatoro may be mentioned as having been special! well played, “Take a Pair of Sparking Eyes” might with advantage, have been taken a trifle faster, but generally the music was very brightly presented. The three dances from Henry VIII, written by E. German, went very Well. They were the “Morris Dance,” “The Shepherd's Dance,” and the “Torch Dance,’’ and are not unfamiliar. Miss Lorna Smith introduced Huilan » well-known song “Three Fishers,” which she sang exceptionally well. Miss Smith has a true contralto of good tone and body, and her enunciation is clear and .distinct Perhaps her vocalisation is not of a highly finished order, but she sings with good ex pression, and is already an acquisition to the ranks of lady vocalists in Dunedin. There is a quality in her voice that is bv no means common In response to a recall Miss Smith sang “My Love is Like a Red. Red Rose.” Her second selection was Handel’s “Ombra mai fu,” the recitative preceding which could have been improved upon. When, however, it came to the air. Miss Smith sang even better than she had in Hullah's song. Being again recalled she gave “Still as the Night.” Mr John Leech gang Godard’s “Angels Guard Thee, which brought back to recollection Mr Fraser, at one time a leading tenor in Dunedin. Mr Leech sang with taste and expression, and received a' recall. His second programme contribution was Blumenthal’s “Message, which was nicely sung, though a little niorp vigorous treatment, towards the end would not have hem out of place? His recaJl item was “Silverline.” , , The orchestra was. n« usual, conducted by Mr J. Coombs quit* efficiently.