Musical Notes.

Southern Cross, Volume 5, Issue 32, 13 November 1897, Page 9

Musical Notes.

(By “ Staccato.”)

The Burns Club closed their meetings for the year with a social in the Temperance Hall on Wednesday, 3rd. A very enjoyable evening was spent. Miss McOhesney sang ‘ Afton Water.’ The song admirably suited her voice, and she received wellmerited applause. Miss Morrison was the only other lady singer, and gave ‘ Fiona ’ in her usual finished style. Messrs H. S. Hunter and J. Forrester were the gentle men vocalists, and gave ‘ Mary of Argyle ’ and ‘ My Nannie O,’ respectively. Mrs Blue played the accompaniments. It is to be regretted that the Garrison Band did not see their way to take part in the contest this year, as they would have stood a good chance of being placed first. As it is, some of the honours of the contest have come to Invercargill, Mr Glennie again being to the front in bis cornet playing, and Mr Wm. Siddall second in the trombone. With steady practice I hope next year to see this promising young player carry off first honours.

The Musical Opinion says : —“ The songs of Wales have undoubtedly derived many of their most pleasing characteristics from the influence of the harp, which has always been the favourite musical instrument of the country. The three indispensable possessions of a Cambrian gentleman in the early days were: a harp, a cloak, and a chess-board. Slaves were not permitted to learn to use the harp, less they should pretend to be gentlemen. The ancient Welsh harp had but a single row of strings,

the flats and sharps being produced by a peculiar movement of the thumb and finger, a device which seems to be no longer known.” ; I see the Amateur Operatic Society stage “ Dorothy ” again on the two show nights. As they acquitted themselves so well when it was given before, they ought to have two bumper houses.