THIRD CONCERT

Southland Times, Issue 21264, 10 December 1930, Page 8

THIRD CONCERT

ORCHESTRAL -SOCIETY I■.' ■ ■ . I . ENJOYABLE PROGRAMME . PRESENTED APPRECIATIVE AUDIENCE - The Victoria Hall was well filled last evening when the Invercargill Orchestral Society presented its third concert of the 1930 season. A very ambitious and well balanced programme was presented and greeted with delight by the audience, the suit, “Le Carnaval des Animaux” (C. Saint Saens) being particularly well received, while Mr A. J. Jones (Mataura) held the audience enraptured with splendid solo singing. The orchestra was under the capable baton of Mr W. J. Ferguson and the leader, Mr P. A. Poole, was a tower of strength. The pianistes, Misses N. Hay and M. Fitzgerald, were also very good. The concert was opened with the overture, “The Merry Wives of Windsor” (Nicolai), which was played with a light and merry swing, and was followed by Mr A. J. Jones who sang "Inter Nos” (A. McFadycn) and “Onaway, Awake, Beloved” (Cowan), both being well sung. Masters Sealy Wood and Harvey Strang appeared next in a violin duet, “Traum der Sennerin” (Labitzky), which was played with good technique and understanding and was enthusiasically recalled. The recall numger, “A trio from Pleyel’s Duet” was also played in good style and well received. . The most ambitious item of the programme, “Le Carnaval des Animaux,” was then presided by the orchestra in splendid style. The number was attempted boldly and, in spite of the fact that it permitted few opportunities for the hiding of errors, was exceedingly well played. The introduction and royal march of the lion was very realistic and the “Hens and Cocks,” with barn-yard sounds caused amusement among the audience. The “Hemiones” were faithfully reproduced by the pianistes and the slow and stately movements of the “Tortoises” were excellent. The heavy gambollings of the “Elephants” and the lively leaning of the “Kangaroos” were followed by the beautiful glassy sounds of the “Aquarium, and the “Long Eared Characters," though simple, were effective. The next piece was simply charming, the “Cuckoo” being faithfully reproduced by the clarionet, while the pianos gave a clear impression that the bird was in the depths of a wood. The flute was well to the fore in the “Aviary” and the earnest efforts of the “pianists” in the next piece were followed by the stately, old time “Fossils.” The beautiful “Swan" was heard in a charming violincello solo and then the fourteenth and final piece was played with spirit and repeated in response to an enthusiastic recall.

The second half of the programme was commenced with the overture, “Fingal’s Cave” (Mendelssohn) and then Mr Jones re-appeared to sing “Angels Guard Thee” (Godard), Mr V. Lepetit providing a ’cello obbligato. In response to an insistent recall Mr Jones sang Massenet’s “Elegy” and then the orchestra presented the “Peer Gynt” (Greig) suite, the “Morning Mood,” “The Death of Asa” and “Anitra’s Dance” being the pieces. A’ splendid item was next presented by Mr Jones who sang the recitative and aria “How Vain is Man who Boasts in Fight” (Handel) with great spirit. The delighted audience insisted upon two recalls and was rewarded with- ‘'Yeoman’s Wedding Song” (Prince Poniatowski) and “Just Because the Violets.’ The final number was “Morris Dance” (P. Grainger) by the orchestra and this was.also recalled.