DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23364, 2 December 1937, Page 14

DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

FIFTY YEARS OF SERVICE SUCCESSFUL JUBILEE CONCERT Celebrating the completion of 50 years of praiseworthy endeavour in the cause of instrumental music in the city, the Dunedin Orchestral Society, assisted by several kindred organisations, presented its jubilee concert before a large audience in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last night. The event, a memorable one in the history of the society, was appropriately successful, the entertainment being attractively diversified and embodying several items of more than ordinary merit. The orchestra gave its customary well-balanced and competent performance in each of its selections, responding 'with confidence and spirit to the directions of its conductor (Mr C. Roy Spackman), and also to those of the two guest conductors of the evening, Dr T. Vernon Griffiths and Mr Alfred Walmsley, who were Mr Spackman’s immediate predecessors in that position. . An opportunity to express, on behalf of the citizens of Dunedin, high appreciation of the society’s efforts during the past half-century was taken during the evening by the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox). Mr Cox was introduced by Mr Ernest Kerr, a member of the committee of the society, who expressed regret that Mr Coombs, who for 42 years of the 50 years that the society , had been m existence had been its conductor, should have been compelled to be absent from the performance through ill-health. He thanked the kipdred societies who had come forward to assist in the Orchestral Society s jubilee concert, and also Dr Griffiths and Mr Walmsley, the guest conductors, and the soloists. Mrs Campbell and Miss Ethel Wallace. “It affords me very great pleasure to convey to the members of the Dunedin Orchestral Society the grateful thanks of the city for its continued fostering of one of the greatest of all cultural arts across the long span of 50 years,” said Mr Cox. This is one of the arts that cannot flourish without public support, ?£d for whatever reason may be assigned, there . has been a dearth of that support given to all the great orchestras and the great musical societies throughout the world The day when such societies could rely on fhe public to give its fullest support is past, and the great est orchestras, can now rely only on State or municipal subsidies to cany iltWso^u^i^ neecffor the perfoSg ofgreat music fs urgent to-day. although the wor d mav pass by unnoticmg. During me past 50 years the society ac cumi ■ fated the finest library of o* che A r | l mn<;ic to be found south of the Line, wf ft would be a great loss to music if that library had to be locked up. I sincerely hope that the society’s prosperity in the next 50 years will be even greater than that of the past half-cen lU ««h esta . Item was Weber’s “ Preciosa ’ overture, a melodious work which was played with fair cohesion and tonal balance, a con trast in mood being provided in the T dramSl' 5 riclfly-coloured composition of which the orchestra gave a satisfying per formance. The changes m atmosphe e and tempo were capably handled, a id the various sections of the ensemoit* combined admirably to produce fine resonant tone. Nicolais scintillating nvfsrtnre “The Merry Wives of Windsor ” the presentation of which was conducted by Mr Alfred Walmsley. wa* marked by excellent spirit and cohesion, the strings being full-toned and vigorous, while the brasses and woodwinds maintained a rich background. The climax to the work was a paiticularly fine piece of orchestral playing. Mendessohn’s Concerto in G minor, the pianoforte solo of which was played by Mrs Olive Campbell, was conducted by Dr T Vernon Griffiths This was another thoroughly satisfying performance, the . orchestral accompaniment to the solo .instrument being admirably controlled and nth in tone colouring, while Mrs Campbell’s treatment of the brilliantly melodious pianoforte part was a delightful exhibition of highly skilled technique allied to notable depth of interpretative insight “ Three Irish Scenes, by Oscar Naylor, the sections consisting of “The Sligo Maid’s Lament, the sprightly “Along the Ennis Road, and the galloping “After the. Limerick Races," each of which received attractively varied treatment, and the wellknown Sibelius tone-poem “ Finlandia, which was also performed with a good sense of appropriate atmosphere, completed the orchestral portion of the programme. „ _ , A double-quartet from the Royal Dunedin Male Choir sang Somervell s “ Soldier, Rest,” an unaccompanied number of restrained mood, . and “Sweet Kitty Clover.” by Hewitt, a lively and amusing ditty, with good balance and cohesion, the pianoforte accompaniment to the second number being played by Miss Mavis Macdonald. Some 20 members of the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Choir, conducted by Mr L. B. Borrow, sang P. Maldwyn Price’s “Crossing the Plain” and A Stream of Silver Moonshine, by Adam Gc ; bel, in attractive style, the restrained atmosphere of the second number being well reproduced. Mr Alfred Pettitt played the pianoforte accompaniments. A further vocal contribution to the programme was made by a double-quartet from the Dunedin Choral Society, their selections being the traditional “ Dear Harp of My Country,” and Bishop’s “Sleep, Gentle Lady.” The latter was a particularly enjoyable effort, the singers

achieving excellent precision and tonal balance. The accompaniments were played by Miss Mavis Macdonald. The instrumental soloist of the evening was Miss Ethel Wallace, whose violin solo, “ Romance,” by d’Ambrosio, was a pleasing combination of polished technique, rich flowing tone, and perfect phrasing. Mrs Clarice Drake played the pianoforte accompaniment..