DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3002, 27 September 1911, Page 70

DUNEDIN ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY.

The inclemency _ of the weather and the discomforts associated with the temperature- and the environment in no way seriously affected the attendance at the Garrison Hall on. the 20th on the occasion of one of the Durredin Orchestral Society's periodic concerts. While not equal to some which the society has given, the programme Qontributed in no way fell short of the society's general standard, and had many enjoyable moments. Its most interesting features consisted in the rendering of the overture to Weber's " Buryanthe," portion of Beethoven's "Pastoral symphony,"' and a selection from Gounod's opera " Cinq Mars." The Weber overture was spiritedly played and proved decidedly -acceptable. The opera of "Euryanthe" was not one of the composer's great successes, and its author was considerably discouraged at the reception accorded it nearly a century ago on its original production in Vienna. In the Beethoven music the orchestra acquitted itself conscientiously and with a very creditable measure of skill. The storm movement was "interpreted with successful results, the effects realised in this striking example of descriptive composition beinig realistic. The finale which followed, the leading theme of which is the Hymn of the Shepherds, was interesting in contrast, and, though not a very clear-cut performance as a whole, was played with a satisfactory measure of confidence a.nd merit. The closing chords had scarcely the dramatic effect anticipated. The excerpt from Gounod's little-heard and somewhat sombre opera "Cinq Mars" was particularly acceptable both in the interesting character of the musio and the manner in which it was treated. The introductory fa-hfere of horns began well and ended badly, but the ineta-uonental soloists (clarionet and comet) were heard to distinct advantage as the selection progressed, the fine duet, the oavatina, the ballet music, and portion of the conspiracy chorus being outstanding features listened to %vith genuine enjoyment. An overture, " Concert No. 1," by Sir Frederick Ouseley, while felicitous in passages, wa3 not greatly calculated "to appeal to uho popular taste, though a scholarly production carefully irttarpreted. v.. The audience, on the other liana, had no doubt as to its appreciation of an allegretto, entitled " Pearls of dew," S»v G. Lange, a very bright and attractive little composition which the orchestra played in capital style, the reed solo being quite effective. The concert was brought to a close by a characteristic Hungarian march, " Torek Magyar," arranged by Louis de Reeder, and interesting in its illustration of the quaintnees of the Magyar rhythms. As usual the programme was varied by the inclusion of vocal selections among the items. Miss Nellie Taylor, who has a mezzo-sopra.no voice of agreeable quality, sang Gounod's "When all was young" (with 'cello obligate by Mr E. Drake) with reasonable success, though not too -confidently, and created a favourable impression. She was heard to somewhat better advantage in her second solo, a setting of some merit by De Koven of "'Twas a lover and hi 3 lass." The other vocalist was Mr Martin Duff, whose tuneful tenor was well suited to .such numbers as "The fisher children" (Allon) and " Thora" (Stephen Adams), which require sympathetic rather than dramatic treatment. Mr Duff would undoubtedly enhance his singing by overcoming a defect in enunciation & the slurring of the initial consonants of many words. Mr James Coornbs occupied his customary post of prominence as the society's conductor, Mr Kallmann led the orchestra, and Mies Paton acted as accompanist.