THE BESSES O' TH' BARN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10960, 1 May 1907, Page 2

THE BESSES O' TH' BARN.

The famous Besses o'"*tk' Barn Band,, which as been touring New Zealand, for several months past, arrived m Gisborne" this morning from Napier. With a total strength pf thirty, it'was found difficult to •find accommodation for them m a body, and they were billeted at various hotels m the town. Mr' Owen is conductor and Mr T. Bowling bandmaster. At tins period of their colonial visit little ' remains to be said that can be rated as new about the Besses. Their wonderful record is familiar even t 0 those who take but a casual interest m band music, Local people who have heard them m other places are waiting to hear them again, and those who have not had the pleasure are on the tip-toe of expectation. From elsewhere come expressions of the deep satisfaction that the balm's great performances has given, and the Gisborne public have how a similar musical feast offered, to them. The band concerts have easily eclipsed' any previous attraction brought to tliis country; unlike ordinary brass band performances the concerts aro said to be an absolute' revelation m tone and techniquc^their standard of music is of tht; highest, find m their vast repertoire of upwards of 4000 nieces, a" great deal of concerted, numbers are indulged m. The 'Besses' simple hymn tunes, together with the sacred solos, duets and trios, are described as resembling a grand organ. A matinee performance was given this afternoon by the' Band, the following pro. gramme being rendered : — March. "Avondale"' (Ord Hume) ; overture, "Nabuco" (Verdi) ; cornet polka. ''Arbuclenian" (Hartmann), Mi- P. Hal lam ; selection, "Beethoven" (arranged by Owen) ; waltz, "Blumen Reigen" (Fetras) ; selection, "Lohengrin" (Wagner) ; duet, "Excelsior" (Balfe), Messrs Lawson and Berry; fantasia, "Reminiscences of All Nations" (Godfrey) ; march, "Zealandia" (Owen) ; overture, "Poet and Peasant" (Suppe) ; cornet solo, "Cleopatra" (D&mare), Mr T. G. Moore ; selection, .."Rossini's Works" (arranged by (Owen) ; waltz. "Marguerite" (Godfrey) ; selection, "Pirates of Penzance" (Sullivan) ; euphonium solo, '•Thou Art Passing Hence" (Sullivan), Mr F. Berry ; fantasia, "English Airs" (Jackpon).