DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22546, 13 April 1935, Page 23

DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Particular interest will attach to the Dunedin Orchestral Society's first concert of the 1935 season, which will he held in the Concert Chamber on Wednesday, in view of the fact that two important works (probably new to Dunedin audiences) by contemporary British composers, will be'performed. These are the "St. Paul's Suite" for strings, by Gustav Hoist, and Percy Grainger's highly diverting " Handel in the Strand " (for full orchestra). The copies of both of these works have recently been given to the society.by Miss.Stela Bayley and DrV. Galway. Gustav Hoist (one of the greatest British- musicians of our time) wrote the "St. Paul's Suite" for the orchestra of St. Paul's Girls' School —a sign not only of the high standard reached by secondary school orchestras at Home, but also of the practical interest taken by leading composers in music for schools. This music is delightfully rhythmic and melodious. Percy Grainger's "Handel in -the Strand" is described by the composer as a " Clog Dance." Miss Winifred Gardner's performance of the first movement of the Tschaikowsky Piano Concerto last year will be remembered; and, in view of the widely expressed wishes of those who heard it, the first and last movements of this concerto will be played by Miss Gardner with the orchestra at the coming -concert. The opening item in the programme will be Mendelssohn's wellknown "Ruy Bias" Overture. Another delightfully tuneful work is the "Sinfonia " by J. C. Bach. The first and last movements are refreshingly lighthearted, while the second movement has a peaceful melody assigned to the oboe, with string accompaniment. The great J. S. Bach's "Air on the G String" is one of the most beautiful melodies ever written, and an arrangement of it for string orchestra (by August Wilhelmj) will be played. The vocal items will be contributed by Miss Betty Pocock, who will sing Senta's ballad from " The Flying Dutchman" (Wagner) and "The Dawn Has a Song" (Montague Phillips). The concert will be concluded with four works by the late Sir Edward Elgar. These are "Carissima" (an appealing melody delightfully scored), the second and third of the Three Dances ("From the Bavarian Highlands"), and the vigorous " Empire March." The conductor will be Mr T. Vernon Griffiths.