ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22868, 30 April 1936, Page 10

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

FIRST CONCERT OF SEASON The Dunedin Orchestral Society, under Mr C. Roy Spackman, gave the first concert of its forty-ninth season at the Concert Chamber last night, and it may be stated at once that the musicians presented a most enjoyable concert and one in which a fine standard was set from start to finish. The numbers selected enabled the musicians to demonstrate thoroughly their ability, and there was an excellent balance in the playing and a noteworthy control by the conductor. It is held, with more or less authority, that the public approval of this or that musical number in a concert such as that given by the Orchestral Society last night can be accepted as the hallmark of good work, and it can be said that the marked approval given to the performances of the “ Symphony in B Minor”—the “Unfinished Symphony”— (Schubert) and selections from “The Gondoliers” (Sullivan) fully bore out that contention. The playing of the “ Symphony ” was listened to with the greatest pleasure. There was a fine sense of the light and shade required, the beautiful harmonics were artistically executed, and the clear-cut movements splendidly handled. The “ Symphony ” is, a familiar and popular classic, and the orchestra had a full appreciatioi of that fact and gave a most satisfying performance. In the selections from “ The Gondoliers ” —the last number on the programme —the orchestra entered on its task with a light-heartedness in keeping with the music, and the several familiar numbers—such as “ Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes,” in wdiich cornet and flute took a leading part—wore presented with such fine workmanship that the audience left with a very pleasant memory of the concert as a whole. In response to the loud applause part of the number was repeated. It is worthy of mention that the society intends to include selections from the better class light operas at intervals at future concerts. It is a wise decision.

The opening number in the concert was “Coronation March” (Eilenberg), in which the violins were heard to advantage, and there was some effective work by the reeds and brasses. The playing was well balanced and a fine climax was achieved. “ Scenes Pittoresques ” (Massenet), which included the four movements, followed and, taking the playing all through, a most commendable performance was given. In the first movement the violins again did good work, and they were well balanced by the reeds and brasses. The other three movements were marked by smooth but effective playing. Some charming work was introduced by the flutes, and altogether, apart from a small blurring in the second movement, it was an excellent performance. Some of the more graceful interludes were indeed most artistically presented. The overture, “In Memoriam ” (Sullivan) was introduced by some good work by the violins and reeds, and vigorous concerted playing followed, but a praiseworthy balance was always maintained. An encore number followed. “ Valse Triste ” (Sibelius), with its dance effects, required all the watchfulness and skill of the orchestra, but the players surmounted the difficulties of the piece well, though the ending—on a sombre note —failed somewhat to satisfy. A short number, “Aragonaisc ” (Massenet), from the ballet of the opera “ Le Cid,” was brightly played, and here again the balance and fine contrasting work of. the orchestra wore of a most meritorious character.

The vocalist for the evening was Mr Wilfred Kershaw. Mr Kershaw has a particularly fine, robust bass voice, under well nigh perfect control, and he sings with confidence and judgment. He sang “ Infelicc E tuo Credovi ” (“Ernani,” Verdi) and “ Dormiro sol ncl manto mio Regal” (Verdi). He received an encore for both his songs, and it is perhaps significant that the loudest applause awarded him was for the familiar though hackneyed “ Father • O’Flynn.” The accompanist was Miss Jessie Jones.