MUSICAL CONCERT.

Southern Cross, Volume 11, Issue 14, 4 July 1903, Page 7

MUSICAL CONCERT.

On Friday, 26bh June, the ninth concert given by Mr Zimmer’s pupils was held in the Y.M.O.A. hall. As is the rule of Mr Zimmer’s c.oncerts, the programme was throughout of highclass music, and the various selections, difficult as many of them were, were rendered in a manner reflecting the highest credit both on pupils and teacher. A new feature of this entertainment was a lecture by Mr Zimmer on the physical basis 'of music. This occupied the first division of the programme, and was illustrated by limelight views. The lecturer gave a brief but clear outline of the elementary principles of acoustics. All sounds were shown to be due to the vibrations of the sounding body being conveyed to the ear by means of sound waves propelled through the air, or other conveying medium. The difference between mere noise and musical tone was, by means of some very graphic diagrams, shown to depend on the vibrations being in the first case irregular, and in the second regular. One very interesting view showed the beautiful geometrical patterns formed by sand on a metal plate when this is made to vibrate to a musical tone. The difference between high and low tone was explained to be due to the number of vibrations .per second ; comparatively slow vibrations giving a low tone, and rapid ones a high tone. The characteristic differences of the same note on different instruments, and as given by the human voice, or “ timbre,” were caused by the overtones accompanying the fundamental tone waves of the note. The method of recording reproducing sou’ ds by the phonograph was explained and illustrated, and the lecturer concluded by drawing the attention of his hearers to the degree in which the “ timbre ” of the voice may be improved by a proper system of voice production. The musical portion of the programme began with Max Oeten’s Funeral March, rendered by Miss Ada Surman and Mr Zimmer (piano and organ). The beautiful, mournful music of this composition was most impressively rendered. This was followed by Beethoven’s Trio Op. 1 on piano, violin and It is very seldom that a piece of this length is attempted in Invercargill, but its three movements were given so well that few, if any, found it too long. Miss Marianne Simon followed with a song —“ The Golden Thread ” (Gounod), and later on gave another—- “ Restless River ” (E. German). Miss Simon possesses a sweet voice, and what is rare, a very distinct enunciation, and was particularly successful in her rendering of the latter song. The last movementof the Appassionata Sonata, by Beethoven, was given by Miss Surman. This difficult piece makes great demands both on technique and on powers of expression, but the performer, was fully equal to her task of rendering the stormy, passionate movements and the solemn close of this grand composition. A piece of totally different description, “ La Sevillana,” bright and gay, gave another proof of Miss Surman’s technical powers. A vocal duet was very pleasingly given by the Misses Grace and Amy Bath; and Gluck’s ballet and gavotte was artistically performed by the Misses Fryer and Callender. The concluding, piece was a beautiful selection, “ Meditation,” by

1 Gounod, on piano, violin, orphan, and 'cello (Messrs D. McKay and Zimmer). ■ This was one of the gems of the evening, and a fitting conclusion, the grave, sweet music being rendered with admirable expression by the different performers. Classical music seldom draws very large audiences, but that assembled on this occasion, if not large, was appreciative, and the hearers will look forward with keen anticipation to future musical treats provided by Mr Zimmer and his pupils.