SECOND CONCERT

Southland Times, Issue 22992, 11 September 1936, Page 8

SECOND CONCERT

ORCHESTRAL SOCIETY’S SUCCESS A VARIED PROGRAMME One of the most varied programmes yet presented by the Invercargill Orchestral Society was enjoyed last evening by an audience that occupied very nearly all of the accommodation that Victoria Hall has to offer. The society has never attempted to obtain a false popularity by relying upon soloists to attract its followings, and by observing faithfully that principle it has been able to introduce many vocalists and a number of instrumentalists who have taken the opportunity to establish themselves firm favourites. This was the case last evening. There were three soloists, two vocalists and a clarinet soloist, and a male quartet, and each was successful. The orchestra was in good form. It opened the programme with the everpopular “The Merry Wives of Windsor” overture, and despite some lack of decision among the strings, it was a gay and melodious interpretation. The orchestra’s next number was Mascagni’s “Intermezzo” for strings only, and this was probably its best item of the evening. The “Ruins of Athens” Marche (Beethoven) ended the first half of the programme. Two movements from Beethoven’s “C Minor” Symphony provided the orchestra with a severe test, but it was equal to the technical difficulties and brought out the noble themes with confidence and a fine tone. “Reminiscences of Grieg” was a contrast, handled capably, and the “Serenade Florentine” (Godard) closed an offering of well-known music played with the clarity of attack and continuity of tone and understanding that always mark the orchestra’s interpretations. The conductor, Mr W. J. Ferguson, obtained an excellent balance which was maintained throughout the evening.

Miss Joyce Reid, a fresh and vigorous soprano, sang “When E’er a Snowflake” (Lehmann) very well. Set in a minor key, it was by mo means an easy choice. Those who heard Miss Reid last evening will want to hear her again. Mr P. Linton Hodge sang the aria from Flotow-’s “Marta” and it was a very sympathetic interpretation. Mr Hodge has a baritone voice with a big range and his upper register is of very pleasing quality. Like all of the soloists, he had to respond to an encore, and his “Eleanore” (Mallinson) was well sung. In the second half of the programme he sang “The Devout Lover” (W. V. White) with a violin obbligato played by Mr P. A. Poole. It and the encore, Riley’s “For You Alone,” were very well received.

Among the most popular items of the evening were the clarinet solos played by Mr C. Fleming. Numbers of this type are all too infrequent on Invercargill concert programmes. Mr Fleming chose a bracket of well-known selections, Schubert’s “Serenade” and Kreisler’s “Viennese Refrain,” and he made the most of the two beautiful melodies. His tone was excellent and his playing was based on melodious lines entirely. “The Vagabonds,” a quartet headed by Mr L. E. Dailey, provided the lighter side to the evening’s entertainment, singing “Simon the Cellarer” and a surprising titbit called “An Explanation.” Mr Dailey’s true tenor led the quartet, but the other voices were symnathetic, needing only a little more confidence to provide a proper balance.