THE BESSES O' TH' BARN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10962, 3 May 1907, Page 2

THE BESSES O' TH' BARN.

A certain proof of tlie incomparable standard to which the Lancashire Band have achieved is furnished by. the invariable satisfaction and appreciation that has been expressed m regard to their performances. Even those with the slightest musical education or least inclined to harmony within themselves or with their fellows liave yielded to the sweetly sophoric influences, and have been afar to realms of glad and generous imaginings. Tlie flawless concord of brass has carried tiiem away from their other and less lovable selves to a better land, where only celestial thoughts, which rhyme and time with angelic spirits are possible. So marvellously moved have some become under the dreamy effects of the Besses' liarmony tliat it seems a community would gain by inducing them to stay for ever and a day. Then, under their enchanted hands, no more from out of the hurly-burly would spnng loud and contentious voices, strife would vanish from the happy land, the wicked cease from troubling and the weary be at rest. The Besses liave satisfied. That is tlie outstanding fact of their visit. How many reputedly star performers have failed to come up to expectations Without effort the memory readily recalls many m recent years, and tbe added triumph to the Besses' achievement lies. in their being a purely brass band. It is undeniable that maay people do not care for brass bands, or rather the average brass organisation. A player will always fix his attention, and be interested m, if" he does not enjoy, almost any very medium performance, but the general public are more critical, and demand everything that is satisfying to the normal musical ear, surfeited with tlie delicacies- of the voice, piano, or violin. The Besses have- answered this test with marked success, and to present and past colonial bandsmen the great popular enthusiasm with which they have been greeted has been most gratifying. It shows tliat there is a great deal m band music after all, and that the public can -be moved to as liigh pitch of appreciation of the brass as they can by other expressions ofmelody. 'iho Besses are a triumphant vindication of the virtues of a welltrained brass- band, and their tour throughout the colony will be the means of inspiring tlie already excellent New Zealand combinations to still greater exertions to reach the highest point of perfection. To ''brethren of the brass" their playing lias beei one long, treat, a feast which has afforded them the apex of musical pleasure, and m their journeyings through Australia they qarry with them the heartiest good wislws for their future success, which is certain, and their general prosperity: Yesterday afternoon's performance m His Majesty's opened witli the bright and sparkling march, "Honest Toil", (Rimner). As m all their quicksteps the band's marvellous precision and splendid attack was noticeable. The. introduction over, tlie mezzoforte strains come from the cornets m a silver thread of melody. The work of the basses and accompanying instruments is always adequate, and the result is an admirable -lesson m quickstep playing. The" selections were of a yaned nature, and gave tlie band opportunity for fine descriptive work. Included m the programme were the. overture, "Italiana m Algeria" (Rossini) selection? "Cinq Mars" (Gounod), and "Reminiscences of Tbhaikowsky" (arranged by S. Douglas), "and the intermezzo "Imperial" (B. Rache). These were all gems of harmony; indeed, there was not ah. item . tliat was not thoroughly enjoyed. "£ead, Kindly Lighf was again given as an encore wjth the usual success." The rest of ithe vrcrgramme included a cornet solo, ."Fairies of the Waters'' (Hartman), m which Mr P. -Hallam charmed his hearers with his brilliant execution and perfection of tone. As an encore "Echoes m the Alps" was given, a choice bit of cornet melody produced by Messrs Moore and Hallam, the latter taking! the echo part. A pretty valse, "Wendische Weizen" (Gungl) and the fantasia, "Echoes of Scotland," m which "Hunting Tower,'' "Annie Laurie,'" and various Caledonian airs were included, were also given. In the' evening tlie theatre was packed with a deeply appreciative audience. The usual march, '"Cossack" (Rimmer) commenced proceedings, and was followed by the overture, "Zampa" (Herold). The latter brought the band an immediate encore, to which they responded with a short piece "Salutation." Mr T. G Moore's cornet colo, "Abide With Me," with a beautiful accompaniment, was encored, and the soloist responded with a triplet polka. The selection, "Heroic" (Weber), was a grand example of concerted work, and was greeted with enthusiasm. A Spanish waltz, "Estudiantina," with the castanets going, commenced the second half, and , "Queen Elizabeth" was given as an encore. "The Eari and the Girl" selection, introducing a number of popular airs, also brought a demand for repetition, "Lead, Kindly Light," being given m response. Mr W. Lawson's trombone solo, "Lend Me Your Aid" (Guonod) secured him. a recall, and he replied with, a sympathetic and fully adequate rendering of "Alice, where art | thou." "Memories of Britain," a fan-; | tasia on National airs, included a tenor solo, "Annie Laurie," ' which was especi- [ ally good, and the solo playing . of the ! trombone was also excellent. "God Save | the King" brought the evening to a close. | Following is the programme for this evening's concert: Maxell, "Tannhauser" (Wagner) 5 overture, "Cm wn Diamonds" tAuber) ; cornet solo, "Besses o' th' Barn" (Clement), Mr T. G. Moore j selection, 1 'Tannhauser" (Wagner); valisej "Alicia" (Raymond); selection, "Faust" (Gounod); trombone solo, "Ora Pro Nobis" (Piccolomini), Mr T. Bowling; fantasia, "Auld Ireland" (Hare).