ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22608, 27 June 1935, Page 6

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

COMING PRESENTATION Included in the programme for the forthcoming concert of the Dunedin Orchestral Society are several pieces full of delightful melody and fresh harmonic colouring by contemporary British composers. The music of Maurice Besly is well known to vocalists, but it is doubtful if his instrumental music is as frequently heard. His "Chelsea China" Suite is a very pleasing work, which was written for the Eastbourne Musical Festival. Two movements ("Pastoral" and "Soldiers") have been selected for the concert on Saturday. "Soldiers" is a particularly vivid movement, with its lilting march rhythm and its bright flashes of striking harmonic colour. Another suite of pleasingly fresh and tuneful music is that on English Folk Songs by Dr R. Vaughan Williams. It is in three movements —"March," "Intermezzo" and a second "March." The melodies used by the composer are "Seventeen Come Sunday," "My Benny Boy " and other folk tunes from Somerset. The " Intermezzo " on "My Benny Boy" is full of beauty, and the two "Marches" are fresh music which is sure to receive popular approval. The orchestra has recently played the last movement of Eric Coates's suite, " From the Countryside." On Saturday evening the whole of this suite will be played. The first movement, "In the Meadows," has a decided Edward German flavour and an engaging lilt. The second piece, "Among the Poppies," has the characteristics of the waltz, and the third, "At the Fair," is full of vivacity and gay melody. It will be interesting to compare Coates's suite with Edward German's "Nell Gwyn" Dances, which are also included in the programme. Ihese are, of course, well known, but their characteristic melodies and harmonic texture are always welcome to players and to audiences. An important work in the programme is Schubert's " Rosamunde" Overture, Op. 26, which was composed b 1820 for a melodrama, "The Magic Harp." Clear melodies and simple construction make fchis work a delight to listeners. H. Mouton's "Festival Overture" is a simply constructed but effective work which abates its vigour in the middle section to give opportunity for a pleasing violin solo accompanied by the orchestra. Giacomo Meyerbeer (p. famous dramatic composer of the nineteenth century) is represented by the "Coronation March" from his opera "Le Prophete." The soloists will be Mr Alfred Walmsley and Mr Don M'lnnes, who will sing the duet from "Othello," act II (Verdi), and "The Rejuvenation Scene" from "Faust" act 1 (Gounod).