ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 18810, 1 May 1920, Page 6

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY

FIP.PT concert of the season. Tiio Victoria Kali wa? parked lad. night for the fir.-i concert of the season given by the Invercargill Orchestral Society, under the baton of Mr W. J. Ferguson. Before the concert commenced the secretary, Mr R. M. Strang, said that it was the intention of the Society, now that its offer to the municipal authorities had been turned down, to enlarge and take in more memers to enable it to give its concerts in a larger hall without having to fear financial embarrassment. He asked for the co-operation of those present to attain that end. The programme opened with “Coxiolanus” (Beethoven! and the opening movement was full of vigour, and the attack and release of the orchestra were excellent. The strings in the initial movement caught the spirit of the piece, and their interpretation of the passages displayed a technique that was of a high order. With the wood and wind instruments in the closing passages of the first movement, they made a fine combination that was nicely balanced, and which, in the crescendo movements, obtained the necessary volume to make the interpretation one to be remembered. In the second movemnt th settings were heard to even better advantage in the pleading passages which occur and the movements in which the tragedy of Coriolanus is told. The second concerted item by the orchestra was “Berceuse” (Jarnefelt) and Moszkowski “Senerata,” two numbers characteristic of the northern school, though' entirely distinctive. The almost melancholy atmosphere which peg-.

| vades so much Russian music is not present, ; but both works have dramatic tendencies | and arc full of tone colour. The orchestra handled both in a creditable manner. Mendelsshon’s overture " Fingal’s Cave” is well known. It is sure to find favour in this part ; of t.:;.* country in view of its inspiration, the . beautiful and almost mysterious wonders of ; the Highlands In such work it was to be | expected that the strings would play an im- : portent part, and their work was really ex--1 cell- nt. Tire wood ajiel wind was also used : judiciously and carried through the second ■ subject in good form. Three out of the four subjects of Greig “Peer Gynt” suite i wore played, the final and extremely dram* j atic ant’ difficult ‘‘ln the Hall of the Moun- ' rain King 1 ’ being left out. “Morning Mood” ; gave the wood wind an excellent opportuni ity. Tlie number lightly, and i the conductor built up the picture of the dawn with excellent effect. “The Death. I Asa,” with its sombre tones and peculiar | effects, was also a fine performance, and in jan “Anilra's Dance” the orchestra captured | the rylhmetic splendour of the Orient. The l ballet musoc from “Wilham Tell” (Rossuu) I represented the final orchestral number. All ( the subjects are >.eautiful, and though a : little more weight in the bass would have I improved (he effect th" performance was ! -.fiy pleasing. The orchestra was also heard l in the orchestral accomncniment arranged jby the conductor, Mr W. -1. ferguson. to I Mr Grant's trombone solo, Sullivan’s expres--1 sivc “Thou’rt Passing Hence.” The solist was |in excellent form and the accompaniment | provided an effective background which conI tributed largely to the enjoyment of the ! item. Mr U. L. Stevenson, one of the solo* | iet- o.oVrcd Sanderson’s sea 1 will a d “Drake | Goes West,” a number that requires a j fic: vh ;• .ritoiie than Mr Stevenson posses* : sc?, but Iji.s interpretation of it was decidedly j at,::; ct.ve, v.diich quite prepared one for his 'me re pleasing encore “Ar Old Fasioned ’ The st ron-i programme number ; “Youth” vow dignified, but required a little I more fervour, hi - encore “Till the Sands of I Ihe Drvir: t grow cold” \vr.' : well handled, and the audience vr;g=. as tipfJrr ristive - of the.sing- , r ; i( s hi;: i:\i:;;ber as in the others. Miss O. .Latham has a light nr rr.no of distinct qual- : ity and fair range. Her ppusr register is : good. Hn- lower note? - are iter weakest, and | a little : tten: ion to tly. in would repay her. .'.‘v-s Latham he? what is bat of all histri-i-iii:- ’■ov.'er out h.s -.in site was probably at, }>oj hf.-t i-i "Fairies a! the Bottom of the Garden.” but Yi ra-.-'p ever popular “A May Mcnunsr" was also very enjoyable, as was Ma’lineonV “My Garde.-.," and one must ex- | pro , the hope that VT ■ Latham will be :■ brat-,-; fir-re on a future occasion. I The conductor, Mr Ferguson, and the orI chra ail canted the rounds of applause ;th: t ' : , • :h- ci. : ing number, and the audience (rouped out well satrified with the fir.-i rom i r; of trie s.-.a?on.