NOTES ON PAST AND COMING EVENTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1805, 25 June 1886, Page 14

NOTES ON PAST AND COMING EVENTS.

*#* The fourth of the Saturday afternoon concerts under the direction of Herr Schersk was given at St. Matthew's Schoolroom, Dunedin, on Saturday last to a crowded audience. A quartett by Hummel (a pupil of Mozart) was marred by an accident in the second movement. Herr Scherek followed with two pianoforte soli,the first a " novelette " by Schumann, a sort of story told in music, a style of composition originated by that composer. The other solo was a transcription for the piano by Lizst of. a vocal composition by Rossini. After a song by Mr Stockwell a " Marche lieligieuse," from Wagner's opera of "Lohengrin" was played. With apologies to those of our readers who may have had the good fortune to m;o the opera for themselves, we may shortly explain that when the opera is performed upon the stage this music is played by the orchestra whilst the bridal procession is seen to emerge from the palace in the distance and to gradually approach and reach the porch of the minister in which the wedding is to be solemnised : during tho greater part of this music not a word is sung or spoken upon the stage ; the whole .«ceno"ia - really a moving tableau vivant. In Italian opera there would have been the traditional " walk round " to the footlights, aud snme song or chorus introduced, but here Wagner makes everything proceed naturally aud impressively, with music in complete harmony with the passing thoughts of the characters enacting the drama. In this instance the orchestral music has been transcribed by Saint Saens for the violin, accompanied by harmonium and piano, and it was this arrangement that was played on Saturday by Mr George Schacht, Herr Scherek taking the piano, and Mr Charles Waud the harmonium. The applause that followed upon the conclusion of the piece proved the delight of the audience. Mr Charles Waud, ifc may be noticed, performed on three different instruments in turn at this .concert — viz., 'cello, harmonium, and double bass, and for what we know he may possibly have a few more instruments in reserve for use at future concerts. Mrs Williams kindly sang " The Angel's Serenade" by de Braga, with 'cello obbligato played by Mr Homere. Then followed the chief attraction of the concert, Mozart's concerto iv E flat major. Before this began Herr Scherek made a few explanatory remarks, in the course of which he said that Mozart might be said to be the originator of the concerto form, the few compositions under the same title by earlier composers being entirely different in construction. Mozart being the first virtuoso on the pianoforte (in his time only newly invented or developed from the harpsichord and clavichord), had of course to furnish his own literature for the display of the capabilities of the instrument and performer. The concerto was written by Mozart as an elaboration of the sonata in three movements, the usual scherzo or minuet being omitted. In the first movement the exposition of the musical subjects is left to the orchestra alone, while the piano takes the development, which forms the second half of the first part of the sonata form. The orchestral parts in the example then to be given, had been arranged by Ignaz Lachner for string quintett, and in this arrangement the parts originally given to the wind instruments were incorporated, thus furnishing a complete reproduction in miniature of the effects of the full orchestra. Herr Scherek's remarks being concluded, the concerto was then performed, and was attentively listened to by the audience. The solo part for the piauo was magnificently played ; the effect of the stringed quintett afforded a delightful surprise, especially in the introduction to the Srst movement. The performance of this important concerto, now rarely heard anywhere, will, we think, have proved a new experience to many of us. Byron's "Maid of Athens" to music by Gounod, sung by Mr Stockwell, followed; as might be expected, this beautiful setting (unfortunately too seldom heard here) is infinitely above the hackneyed air by Allen, which is heard, we think, far too often. The quaint Hungarian style of Dunckler's " Souvenir de Pesth," played by Mr Homere, was very pleasing. Before beginning the last number on the pr gramme, Herr Scherek remarked that it spoke a great deal for the taste of the musical public that so large an audience assembled should have listened so intently to the contents of a programme which included three purely classical works of considerable length. He announced that the next programme (for Saturday week, 3rd July), although classical, would consist of pieces of a lighter character, and would include Haydn's well-known " Gipsy" trio. The three last movements of Mendelssohn's beautiful trio in D major (well-known to most of us, perhaps), brilliantly played, brought this concert to an end. Mr Homere again taking 'cello, Mr Schact violin, and Herr Scherek piano.

*** The recently-formed Dunedin Savage Club gave their first, and therefore experimental " Invitation Practice," at St. Matthew's Schoolroom, Dunedin, on Monday last. This being the case, only gentlemen were invited and no programme was printed, but smoking was allowed ; the seats were placed " anyhow," and some excellent coffee was brewed by Mr Broadway ; part-songs, solos, short and witty speeches, a recitation, a thought-reading trick, and photographs kindly lent for the occasion passed the evening very pleasantly. Several new members joined the club, and it is hoped that this club may be the means of inducing many other beginners to take up the practice of simple partsongs for men's voices.

*#* Mr A. J. Barth gave his organ recital at Kno* Church on Wednesday, the 33rd met.,

and consequently too late ice issue.

# * # A concert was given at Balclutha on Friday last for the benefit of the bra«s band which has lately been formed, and which gave the first public performance on this occasion pl.iying a march, a waltz, and the National Anthem. Mr Peters sang " Tho Outpost," by Pinsuti, and also joined in a duet with Mr David Thomas, " Love and War." Part nongs, excellent solos (none the worse for their unpretending simplicity), aud several more elaborate operatic vocal selections followed. We regret that we have not enough space in this issue to mention each as it deserves. Mr M'Vie, of the Kaitangata Band, gave a cornet solo; and throughout the entire concert Mr It. Grigor very kindly accompanied the vocal music, giving great pleasure to the audience and much clever help to tho singers.