Invercargill Musical Union

Southland Times, Issue 19106, 24 July 1903, Page 2

Invercargill Musical Union

ORCHESTRAL CONCERT,

Partly owing to the clear frosty night, but more especially to the previous successes of the Musical Union in- its efforts to please the music-loving public, there was a, very large and appreciative audience at the choral concert, given in the Zealandia Hall yesterday evening. In spite of some misgivings, the voices carried to every corner of the hall, and the blend, especially in the unaccompanied part songs, was almost perfect. The first set of these, "The* Nightingale " and " The Vale of Rest," were beautifully rendered. The soft passages wore breathed with vxpression, while the words were plainly heard. In " The River Flowoth Strong," the changes in expression were more marked, a delicate piano passage following another til rich 1 full tone. Perhaps one of the best of the part songs was the pastorale " Gorydon, Arise"!" (Stanford), in which the soprana passages" were exquisitely rendered, the runs being taken with a light, graceful tone, and very neat phrasing. In some parts, however, the alto voices were tslightly weak, and in " May Day," " Choosing of the Queen," the tone of the tenors was a trifle forced ; on i the whole, however, the balance of parts was well preserved. The echoes in the part song " The Hunt's Up " wore very pretty and effective, and the crescendo passages in this number were well worked up. Of the orchestral pieces, undoubtedly the best was "La Colombe " (Gounod). The intricate runs were well played by tllC Violins, While -the tone of tfae brass instruments combined to produce a very fine effect. The triangle was tastefully manipulated in this piece, while the turns of the first violins were neatly played. In the allegrettos (a) and (f) of the Ballet Music, some pleasing flute passages occurred, which Mr E. Lepetit played with nice expression. The orchestra kept well with the conductor's baton throughout the performance, and left nothing to be desired. The accompaniments to the chorus " The Miller's Wooing " (Eaton Failing) showed how well voices and orchestra kept together, while in " Spring's Message " the strings, together with the bass voices, worked up a splendid crescendo, followed by a delicately taken diminuendo. ' The solos were well received : the feeling and power of Miss Macloskey 's singling has seldom been equalled here. Ker first solo "To the Angels " contained same beautiful lower notes, which were sung with a full clear .tone ; but it was in her varying expi'ession In "Fond heart, Farewell " that Miss Macloskey's voice was . heard to perfection. The large audience testified their appreciation of- this young lady's efforts by applause, almost amounting to an ovation. Notwithstanding the Society's rule against encores, Miss Macloskey -was at lastcompelled to respond to the general demand for an enc6re: After this; her first appearance in Invercargill, most of her audience woujd look,forward to her re-appearance amongst" us in the capacity of a public vocalist, as a treat hot to be missed. Mr Ccokson gave a fairly good rendering of the solo " Love in., her eyes sits tiplto'ing," but 'his voice "proved 1 rather light for the, perhaps, overpowerful accompaniment by the or--chestra, and the additional difficulty of singing in such a large , hall. „Mr Porteous' powerful voice* however, managed to overcome the thin acoustic properties,; arid, his "Vagabond,'* was received with -.every ."mark of. favour. Mrs Blue is an egtablifehed favourite in Invercargill, ami has lost none of her^;ppweiv^a|id"Vsweetiiess'i' i .of'' voice. She ha'd^pmb'"'^^^^."^^^^^^^.-: to sing, and compassed them very ably. The refrain by the chorus "Hey, nonny, nonny, no," was charming and effective. Mrs 13lue was the- May Queen. After the crow-! ning of the. May Queen, the Revels followed as' a;' conclusion to the Canjtata, and the initiative c and descriptive passages were both tuneful and., realistic. The conductor, '-'Mr Chas. Gray, is be congratulated on <tut yearly increasing success of ; thb functions which he organises, and especially those in connection'"' 1 . -with, ."the. Musical Union. Their increasing popularity is largely due to his skilful control, and although much praise is due to Miss Macloskey, whose powers of interpretation are very superior, yet the local talent that: Mr Gray has done so much to bring out bore a large part of the burden of the entertainment, and acquitted itself wells* Mrs E. B. McKay as pianiste was all that could be desired, while ijVfr W. vFerguson, as leade^ pf the orchestra; 'was au fait. - * '" •■'