ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

Southland Times, Issue 20525, 29 June 1928, Page 8

ORCHESTRAL MUSIC

THE GORE SOCIETY FIRST CONCERT OF SEASON ENJOYABLE ENTERTAINMENT The Gore Orchestral Society’s first concert of the season given in the Princess Theatre last evening attracted a fair audience which, however, still left considerable room for an extension of patronage to an organization which is of immense benefit to the town. It may be taken for granted, however, that the falling-off in the attendance was not due to any lack of appreciation of the society’s work and this is amply borne out by the excellent support accorded previous concerts given by the orchestra. Nevertheless, a suggestion to introduce a greater variety into the programme numbers of the orchestra might be worthy of consideration by the committee, and it is not unlikely that the inclusion of a few lighter compositions would be popular with the audience. In doing this the society would in no way be departing from its object of promoting an appreciation of good music.

Of the numbers given by the orchestra last evening the audience expressed a decided preference for Strauss’ Blue Danube waltz, which loses none of its charm because of the fact that it possesses a lilt and rhythm lacking in some of the works of other famous composers. It was apparent also that the playing members of the orchestra derived more pleasure from this number than they did from most of the other compositions.

Although in one or two of its numbers last evening the orchestra did not attain as high a standard as in some of its previous concerts, this may have been in some measure due to the cold. A slight unevenness of tempo and a lack of certainty on the part of some members of the orchestra were noticeable in the first three numbers played, but in the second part of the programme it more than made amends for some of its earlier deficiencies. Its two closing numbers, the Blue Danube waltz and the overture, The Bohemian Girl, received a very enthusiastic reception from the audience and the orchestra was called upon to repeat the closing number. The conductor, Mr I. Todd, has to be congratulated upon providing such an enjoyable first concert. The society was again fortunate in its choice of soloists—Miss Irene Horniblow, L.R.A.M., and Mr Frederick Tuohey, of Dunedin. Those who remember Miss Horniblow will recall her as a contralto, but now her voice is of mezzo-soprano quality. It has, however, lost none of its attractiveness and she sings with fine expression. Her numbers were exceedingly popular and on each occasion she had to respond to double encores. Mr Tuohey has a fine baritone voice and sings artistically but faulty enunciation detracted somewhat from the effectiveness of his songs. His numbers were very popular and he was also recalled.