PHILARMONIC SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 64

PHILARMONIC SOCIETY.

The fourth concert of tfca Dwiedm Philharmonic Society's first season took place at His Majesty's theatre on Friday evening, when the seating accommodation was fully oocupied. During the comparatively brief period of its - existence the society has made marked progisss, and Signor Squaxise has now a really fine orchestrv at his command. In Friday evening's programme the society added to its reputation for consistency in supplying good rcusic. The fact ths>t so formidable a task as tho rendering of Tschaikowsky's great '■ Pathetique " symphony could bo essayed by the orchestaa with success speaks fojj" itself. The production of the symphony last e^exing waa in fact something of a. musical event, it I'ping claimed io be the first production of this particular composition in Australasia. Whether this be so or not, congratulation is due to Signor Squaiise and his orchestra for the successful accomplishment of a task involving cleaxly a lacgo amount of conscientious work, and the musical public shciild appreciate' the effort towards its edification. The " Pathetique," which is considered the finest of Tschaikowsky.'s symphonies, is written for full orchestra, and, though melancholy in its erding, is not altogether, as the title might suggest, of 'a mournful character, bsing full of delightful co-n-tia3ts, passionate and sympathetically tender alike in its expression. It is said that ko Russian composer has in so masterly a manner ac Tschaikowsky pourtrayed sid« by side movements of almost maidenly delicacy ancl sentiment of tlie jjio&t r-efmecl 'construction with a ivild and barbaric strain both e&sential'y Russian. The work opens with a striking movement which begins as an adagio, is succeeded by aii allegro, which, working ur to a climax, subsides again to an aivdaaite containing a melody of striking beauty, thia being followed by an allegro vivo, and' the reyietit^gn of the melody of the previous andante ending the niovemaut. The second movement is striking and original, and in the unusua l time of five crochets in a bar. It opens with a flowing melody by the 'cello?, and the unpies?ive second part is accompanied throughout by a low pedal D, in which the brass nistuiments and rlnrns beat l>he

time with an almost tragically insistent effect. A fiery inarch tune constitutes the principal theina of llie third movement, which comes to a tiemenclous climax, while ihe final movement, an adagio laonentoso ba-sect on two themes, grow 3 ever more and more despairing towards the end, when a- moaning passage is heard on the brass instruments, and with it the music ends m a hopeless gloom. I'he members of the orchestra acquitted themselves exceedingly well m a rendering that occupied just five minutes less than an hour, and the audienoo, which had been most appreciatively attentive, signified its approval in an unmistakable manner. The other orchestral items were in marked contrast to the symphony, being ligh.6 and taking. The "Turkish p*trol " march served to open the programme roost happily, and subsequently Eilenberg's "Mandolmen seTanade," for tho stringed instruments, quite delighted the audience, Chopin's " Military polonaise " (arranged for orchestra by Tobani) serving to bring the programme to a close, and proving most acceptable, its fire amd vigour being exceedingly well expressed. The vocaT soloists for the evening were Mrs W. Evans "and Mr F. Hendry. Mrs Evans made a decided success of so exacting a. song as " The enchantress " (by J. L. Hatton), in which her sympathetic contralto voice- was heaa-d to advantage. In response to an imperative recall the vocalist rendered " Welcome, lovely spring." Mr F. Hendry's best effort was Eodney's "In a garden of roses," which quite suited hi 3 pleasing baritone voice, and a verse of which lie repeated in response to a recall. Mr Hendry's other solo, ih.e " Toreador song ' • (from " Carmen "), dicl not allow him to appear quite to equal advantage. The remaining lirogranime item -was a cleverly and artistically executed violin solo, Wieniawski's ' Second polonaise," for which she waa heartily recalled, contributing an additional violin item. The concert waa altogether of a mo&t enjoyable nature, and was over in gcod time. Signer' Squarise was in his usual place as conductor, and Miss A. Coughtroy led tie orchestra. Tho solo accompaniments were shared by Mrs H. C. Campbe<!l and Miss Gow.